Firefighter Visions

This was written by me, taken directly from runs I've had in my career as a City of Milwaukee Firefigther. Although I was badly injured in a fire and am now retired, the memories are still very vivid.

 

There is a vision in my mind, one that seems to stay,

of a crying spouse, watching as their loved one fades away.

I remember the baby, whose mother loved her so much,

who lay there now lifeless, cold to the touch.

There was the man who was lost, and so full of fear,

the one who was homeless, yet I held so near.

A woman sat crying, after her love used her for a punching bag,

the man she thought was everything, upon whom she used to brag.

The man who shot someone's father, it was Christmas day,

then asked me for help, I had nothing to say.

A fire in the kitchen, because she was 8 and trying to cook,

to care for her little brother and sister, the innocence her mother took.

The van that rolled over, and to my surprise,

a little boy underneath, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Fire in the living room, kids upstairs,

mother no where around, is it only I that cares?

Pumping his chest, where there used to be skin,

this will be a battle, I simply will not win.

An elderly couple, befriended by a man,

who would kill them in the end, to get money to gamble any way he can.

Stab wounds to the neck and body, 11 all together,

trying to save his life, seemed to take forever.

The wife left in the kitchen, alone, afraid and dying,

the tears that I see are from me, I am the one crying.

Nightmares go away, I have no room for you,

how can I live my life, and deal with you too?

Pick your head up and move on, move it to the back,

forgetting all these things, is a talent that I lack.

I often feel weak, but maybe it makes me stronger,

I see a new day, when I thought I couldn't take it any longer.

Still I'd like to have visions, that didn't hurt so bad,

so I'm asking up to heaven, "Can't you fix this dad"?

 

To all of you brave men and women that see all I see every day we go to work...you are the best...

Author's Note

I miss my job. This poem includes some of my most memorable and heart~breaking encounters.

Reviews

[Victoria PoetryBunny]

o wow, this is just so great, so fabulous and beautifully sad, the flow so great and rhyming, the stories/visions so sad and heart tugging with feelings, i enjoyed and loved this and thank you indeed to those brave men and women, and to you who got injured, your help won't be forgotten i'm sure, thank you for it all and for writing this wonderful piece to share, hugz to you. :)

[ff-239]

This is really great!!
I don't know much of anything about poetry but I know this hits home for me!
I am sorry to hear about your injuries. I can't imagine what you have gone through. Take care!

[Pratibha]

Oh MY GOD ! Never ever in my dreams would i be able to face such terrible situations....each one of it tear my heart apart esp the one involving kids and the woman who was betrayed and then the old couple...and the homeless person...OH ! This is so sad....
trust me, i could not face it and fleed....i chose Clinical micro because i could not face the pain and solve it....DIRECTLY
my father was upset that i was not in clinical side but i am weak Christine....
i break down so easily....
YOU ARE AN AMAZNING WOMAN and believe me, you will get plenty of opportunites to help people around you...you will because you are willing to ....!! :)

[Larry Dyson]

wow ..you were a EMT too...I dont doubt it.. wonderful story /poem and it has your special heart touch..SIr Larry