Poetry Contest Entry

Fighting Fire In The Dark

~By Aussie Lore

It occurs to me as I'm standing ankle high in slush
I could lose my life doing this,
But if I don't do it, others could lose theirs.
The fire dances, and torments, but I stand firm.
The only thing between me and uncertain death
Is a stream of water, at a high pressure.
One wrong move, and I could be dead.
Or worse, those I know and care about.
It's a dangerous life, but what is life without danger?
I grin and try not to choke on the overpowering smoke
Which seems to get everywhere, no matter how hard you try
To avoid it.
The eyes hurt.
But I can't tell if that's from the smoke
Or fatigue. Oh, if only I could close them for a while!
And not open them! But I can't do that!
That would be signing my death warrent then and there.
I must stay alert.
Suddenly, out of the darkness reaches a hand, from behind me.
I do not flinch. No one is there to hurt me.
The hand is gloved, and reaches for my shoulder,
And when it makes contact, it squeezes lightly with its fingers.
That, and the words "Are you OK?" give me the energy to go on
For hours on end.
Until the teasing licks of flame are out.

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