b"Messenger Verse Library WHe is just like you and me,When I am dead, my dearest,Weht ahte ss tAa nFdirse tmalalenrthan most of us. hSeinng I n Aom sa Dd esaodn g for me; YHe is a fireman.Plant thou no roses at my head, He puts it all on the line Nor shady cypress tree: when the bell rings.Be the green grass above me A fireman is the most fortunate With showers and dew drops wet; and least fortunate of men.And if thou wilt, remember, He is a gentle man. And if thou wilt, forget. He is a man who appreciates simple pleasures of life:I shall not see the shadows, hot coffee held in numb, I shall not feel the rain; unbending fingersI shall not hear the nightingale the camaraderie of brave men, Sing on, as if in pain: willing to risk their lives dailyAnd dreaming through the twilight the divine peace and selfless service That doth not rise nor set, of a job well done.Haply I may remember, He doesn't criticize others or And haply may forget. shout obscenities.W Christina Rossetti When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade. He doesn't preach theWhen I must leave you brotherhood of man.He lives it.forh ae nli tIt lMe uwshti Llee ave You Heaven holds a special placePlease do not grieve for our firemen.and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years. When God sends forth a tiny soulBut start out bravely Woh leenar Gno thde S wenadyssoFfo erathrt ha,Tiny Soulwith a gallant smile; TA mothers love is waiting hereAnd for my sake We call this wonder birth.and in my name, Live on and do all things When God calls home a little soulthe same, And stills a fleeting breath,Feed not your loneliness A Fathers love is waiting there,on empty days, This too is birth, not death.But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you And hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky! 2/3/2021 Page 57 of 60Back to Table of Contents"