A Firefighter’s Funeral
Fifteen chimes, three sets of five,
Ring from near the grave.
The casket covered in flowers and flag
Holds a firefighter, brave.
The slow salute, Amazing Grace
Tones from a piper tell
Of the hero’s life, cut so, so short
In the flames that seem from hell
When all is done, and the house is quiet
When the last alarm has pealed
The thing that tears forever my heart
Is the black band on the shield.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2021 01:07AM by Merc.
When is all done: When all is done.
I like the last line a lot and the beat; very funeral like.
K.Q.
I agree...the last line is really powerful--very striking, captures the tone and sombre perfectly. A really effective "trianche de vie" that actually isn't capturing a life, but a death.....
damn thing makes me cry.
A beautiful tribute, Terry. I think the last stanza is particularly strong.
Les
this is one poem i am so sorry you had reason to write. but, having had to do so- this one comes from your heart and soul and will ring true forever.
i agree with peter.
I want all of you people to know what kind of person Mitts is.
She has spent several evenings with me since the death of my two friends, we have discussed Greek history, poetry, her jobs, my past, her children, my wife anything that makes the world seem like it is still a little bit normal. And when it was needed, we discussed the crash that took three lives. But, I have had a lot of that, what I needed was not to be constantly reminded of the loss, but reminded of flowers, children, kittens and quiet, loving friends.
I think I would like most of you. I love Mitts.
Thank you all for your comments to the above.
By way of explaination, the 15 chimes, It is a firefighting tradition, like Amazing Grace on the pipes. It is called "The Last Alarm" A very clear toned bell is rang in three groups of five chimes to signify that a brother has answered the last alarm. A bell is rung at every firefighters funeral, but the ones who die in the line of duty get the last alarm. It is an honor to the fallen. But, like a posthumas medal from the military, what it means at the final curtin is that some child doesn't have a daddy anymore, and said daddy went into harms way not for himself, but for others. Greg Gonsioroski's oldest son would have started school the day after the crash. His other two children are too young.
passed by way too many of these post 9/11
good one 2-10
Sorry for your loss(es), Terry, and for the young children without their father for the rest of their lives. Many of us don't stop often enough to think about all the folks that are out there risking their lives (for all of us) every minute of every day. A heartfelt poem.
Marty
Perhaps the most memorable thing I've heard Terry say about firefighters, this after 9/11, is that they're the ones rushing in when everyone else is rushing out. My deepest condolences, Terry.
Les
Another three last Saturday, from our company.
Two were older, established. One very young, two daughters under the age of six.
Terry, our thoughts and prayers go out to your co-workers. We can't thank you guys enough for saving what few trees are left in this state.
Les
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2009 12:17PM by les712.
How terrible. May their silk handkerchiefs always be within reach.
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Now that I think of it, it has seemed, many times in the past, that I have not been clear enough for everyone.
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It took me all over three minutes to acquire those.
Must have missed your point, which I do often. As said in Much Ado about Nothing, "This fellow is far too cunning to be understood"
Terry,
Shit. I hate death. It is such a coward, too often taking what it does not deserve. I went to the dedication of a plaque of Engine house 28 the week before last. the plaque memorized the four firefighters who'd gone out to fires from that house since 1903, and not returned. Members of all four families were there. And, yes, they played Amazing Grace on the pipes, and rang the bells, and yes I cried for them, having been taken from house fires twice when I was young. The sacrifice they make is more than we should ask and more than they should give, yet they give, and that is a grace for all of us.
Peter
Thank you Peter.