An American Thanksgiving
Stephen M. Shick
In gray clouds where everyday living vanished, where
every breath burned and every odor offended,beyond limits
of endurance and above duty they went. Husbands, wives,
sons, daughters, grandfathers and grandmothers risking
themselves, giving back to a nation of decadent isolation
the notion of "we the people."
Onto steel, concrete, fire and water they
deliberately, but not fearlessly, placed steps
where reason would not tread. Again and again after
praying over the dead and wounded they stepped out from
ordinary self affirmation into the realm of selfless giving.
Courage, compassion and commitment are not quite as
abstract now as they were before the fall
arrived on flaming wings of hate.
For a moment these civil servants, whose daily life saving routines
deliver care and protection,
who never earn a golden parachute or signing bonus,
became our media heroes.
They must sense the cold eyes of indifference
are warmer now since that moment we together saw them
work the miracle of hope.
Oh give thanks for they, the police officers, fire fighters, nurses,
rescue workers, have shown us who "we the people" may yet
be.
