FIRST FIRE / LAST FIRE

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First Fire / Last Fire

Any firefighter’s first real fire
Is faced with anticipation
On the one hand there’s excitement
On the other, trepidation

For this is what he trained to do
During countless hours of drills
Old-timers recount their war stories
As he imagines the thrill

Not many can imagine the genuine rush
‘til immersed in heat, smoke and fire
Physically fighting every urge to run
As the flames grow ever higher

I’m sure this was the case last Sunday
As Jaimie Dickman climbed on the truck
Ready and willing to dance with the Devil
Even before the alarm was struck

Told to stay close to one of the vets
And not wander from his sight
Steve Machcinski was the senior man
That Jaimie would shadow this night

Just another job, all were thinking
As they rolled toward the smoke
None could foresee the impending doom
That would come in one horrible stroke

This fire took two of Toledo’s bravest
Knocked their brothers to their knees
Jaimie believed that he’d see many fires
But in life there are no guarantees

God bless Stephen and James
God bless their brothers
God bless Toledo Fire Department
And watch out for each other

Capt. Tom Kenney
Providence (RI) Fire Department

ANGEL OF DEATH

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Angel of Death

Many times throughout the years
We’ve battled in a tug of war
While he wins most, I do win some
But neither keeping score

An old familiar foe, I’ve come to respect
Though the consequences be immense
I’ll do my best to keep him at bay
Even as I question, at what expense

They take their toll, these constant struggles
Wearing me down little by little
Making me seam hard and unaffected
While my spirit turns ever so brittle

The sad fact of the matter is
Some sting more than others
This is especially true at those times
He comes to take away my brothers

All these years I’ve tried to hold it together
While witnessing so much pain
But my heart can only take so much
Before breaking from the strain

For the Angel of Death knows no mercy
He’s forever on patrol
He recruits the good as well as the bad
Stripping them bare to their soul

I will continue to wage war against him
Until he finally captures me
Protecting especially those whom I love
‘til my spirit is set free