The C.F.A.
You ask old Meg McHenry about the C.F.A.
And without them she will tell you she'd be Homeless today
The trees and paddocks around her house left burnt and looking black
But they risked their lives to save her home and they beat the huge flames back.
The Country Fire Authority members their brave deeds worthy of recall
Men and women who risk their lives though their rewards may seem small
Stories of their courage in the gap of danger have been told far and wide
Without them facing the fire front far more homes would be destroyed.
The men and women of the C.F.A. fearless in their fight with fire
They are the unsung heroes and one only can admire
Them for their courage in times of danger death one mistake away
True stories of their fearlessness we hear of every day.
They often risk their lives and limbs for human lives and property
The brave volunteers of the C.F.A. and their services are free
And seventy years old Meg McHenry tells everyone she meet
That only for the fire fighting volunteers she would be on the street
poem by Francis Duggan
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True Aussie Heroes And Heroines
From Victoria's bushfires great stories we hear
Stories of great courage in the face of fear
Stories of generosity and selflessness of the catastrophe abound
When heroes and heroines are needed they are to be found
Where hundreds of people and more than a million animals have died
And more than two thousand homes have been destroyed
Of courage and generosity the many cannot be denied
The heroes and heroines of Victoria's blackened countryside
The fire fighters and volunteers who risked their lives for others to save
Where courage is needed you will find the brave
The people who gave homes to the homeless the men and women who helped in every way
These are the true heroes and heroines of Australia's blackest ever day
The Aussie generosity and courage one has to admire
It surely did surface in Victoria's monster fire.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Fire Fighting Days
The sun is blocked out by a heavy smoke haze
Twelve miles south of here a huge bushfire blaze
It's way through the brown paddocks and stands of trees
fanned on by a warm and a freshening breeze,
Where-ever there's smoke there is fire to be found
And smoke travels by air for miles and miles around
The C F A the Country fire fighters are busy today
The destructive fire front they fight to keep it at bay,
Such courageous people one can't help but them admire
They risk their own lives to save homes from the fire
They display their courage in the gap of fear
Great stories of their bravery we so often hear
Through dry scrublands and paddocks the huge fire front blaze
We are in the Season of fire fighting days.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Cockatoo Twelve Years On '1995
It's been more than twelve years so they tell me since the flames of death passed through
Since the fire that caused destruction burnt it's way through Cockatoo
Lives were lost and houses burnt down blackened miles of countryside
And people wept for lost possessions for their life time work destroyed.
Tears for houses burnt to ashes, tears for lives lost in fierce flame
Tears for trees and paddocks blackened some say 'fire bug '
was to blame
Cockatoo a place of mourning only blackness to be seen
Only smell of smoke and burn out not one sign of Nature's green.
Twelve years on things seem so different Cockatoo looks green today
And who'd believe if you had not known that huge fire had burnt this way
Some still talk of their great losses and the hardships they'd been through
But they recovered built new houses and still live in Cockatoo.
Nature is her own best healer, Nature the true friend of man
Blackness caused by fire and burn out only last for a brief span
Cockatoo is one example what a change twelve years can bring
On green gum tree by the rail track i can hear the shrike thrush sing.
Here in cockatoo this morning fresh and pure the mountain air
Green the trees and green the paddocks green as i've seen anywhere
Twelve years back a blackened wasteland see how green she looks today
Nature is her own best healer and nature always has her way.
poem by Francis Duggan
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The East Gippsland Fires
In East Gippsland the fires are still going miles of woodland and farmland and bushland destroyed
The huge fire front it keeps on burning it's way through the brown Countryside,
Fires started by thunder and lightning and fires started by human kind
Amongst every rural community a firebug or two you will find
For many East Gippsland farmers a financial disaster by drought conditions already hit hard enough
The fires that have burnt to death many of their animals in their paddocks has made life for them far more tough,
The fire quenching rains are not coming the fires raging onwards and on
But the financial stress for them will continue and their heartbreak with the passing of the fires will not have gone
A tough time for farmers in general and they are facing a very tough year
But when fire rages in drought ravaged paddocks sad stories of heartbreak we do hear,
Many homes have been burned to ashes wildlife and domestic animals to the flames have been lost
Between drought and fire many rural communities left burdened with the huge financial cost
Left by the fire that burned it's way through their Country financial recovery for them may take years
And they will remember the bushfires that blackened the landscape with tears.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Hell's Hungry Quire
Rush into the fire
as it rages higher
hear the building burn
hells own hungry quire
heat beyond belief
causing frantic grief
smoke makes you blind
flames above and beneath
everyone runs to hide
but you charge inside
despite all the risk
you wont be denied
peoples lives are at stake
weak walls burn and shake
not just your job, but your vow
lives this fire shall not take
fight against the fire
its situation dire
the hoses make it learn
youve denied hells hungry quire
***In dedication to all those brave fire fighters out there.***
poem by Spooky Mind
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I Like Unsung Heroes
'Tis of the unsung heroes I wish to hear
Their names in the newspapers never appear
They don't seek the praise and they don't seek the fame
They keep a low profile few know them by name.
Like the teenager who saved the young girl from the house fire
About him there is so much for to admire
To save someone else's life he did risk his own
Yet the anonymous hero remains as unknown.
Her parents wish to thank him the one they do not know
But for the deserved plaudits he has failed for to show
For to bask in the limelight does not seem his way
As an anonymous unsung hero he would prefer to stay.
I like unsung heroes though unsung they remain
From their acts of unselfishness and bravery they do not wish to gain
Like the teenage house fire hero he surely is brave
The life of a five year old girl he did save.
poem by Francis Duggan
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The Protectors
police officers and firefighters
deserve an applause
at times they are fighting a loosing cause.
they fight this battle every day
and they do it for little pay.
they risk their lives for you and me
so that we live our lives carefree.
they take away our stress and strains
and have so little to gain.
a little smile, a friendly thank you
for all the things that they do.
walking the streets, or in their cars
always close, never far.
how many of us can say
that into a burning building
we would stay
to save the lives of others
who we do not know.
perishing in a fire
is not the way to go.
police officers stopping
the crimes in the streets
as they patrol their scheduled beat.
going into a house with family abuse
wondering if it'll be of any use.
let us give thanks to all who serve.
including the medical fields
without their concerns
we would not heal.
we thank you from the bottom
of our hearts
for you have become
a very big part.
THANK YOU
poem by Louis Rams
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Unsung Heroes
Everyday somewhere in the world
another unsung hero is born.
Someone who is willing,
to lay his life on the line
to save another living creature,
on this wonderful planet of ours.
To go out of their way,
and risk life and limb to save something,
from danger and certain death.
These unsung heroes don’t want medals,
glory or even fame.
In fact, most would walk away afterwards,
without anyone ever knowing their name.
It is not that they feel guilty.
They just feel that they haven’t done
anything that is special
or something someone else
wouldn’t have probably done.
Therefore, to all those unsung heroes
this poem is just for you.
For all the lives that you save
each and every day.
poem by David Harris
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The Door’s Whispers
There was whispering at the door,
Except for the sigh, and the occult.
In front of us tore a blade through the crack,
Concealing the body behind it.
The door is an open object mostly,
But it concerned me with futility;
We had to reject the conspiracy theory
And relate to the stories of ancient weapons.
When we tore the blade away with our swords
The daggers started to spread around the walls;
The walls started to endanger our lives
And we wanted to squirm free.
There was a squeal and a torturous time ahead,
And every day we would count our blessings.
This time luck’s authority proclaimed itself present,
Exclaiming our magic, exclaiming the heroic nature.
The blade suddenly vanished and fire caught us,
The body behind was the fire, and we were caught;
The body was in danger, the body was in danger!
Yet we escaped, and we learnt this way.
The door remained shut, tasted our lives
And the corridors were the getaway,
Away, away, away we ran, faster than blades,
And more so, more so and more so.
poem by Naveed Akram
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Silent fire
Silent Fire
Is what she is
Sizzling and burning
In her own silent hell
She dreamt dreams
Sweet and comforting
Not until,
The fire burnt them
No ashes remained
Her soft voice
A dragons lullaby
Her dance
Leaping high and low
Blinding any fool
Foolish enough
to try
to look deep
into her fire
Of a million colours
But should you survive
Maybe you can save her?
Risk your soul?
Risk your life?
To save
A friend,
A lover,
A sad little girl,
From her silent fire?
poem by Racina Rodriguez
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Unsung Hero's
Speeding down a busy street,
in route to a fire with blazing heat.
Firefighters, without a doubt,
are on their way to put it out.
Dear Lord, we offer up this prayer
for firefighter's everywhere.
The bravest of the brave we know,
who tread where other's fear to go.
Saving lives while risking theirs,
high on a ladder or burning stairs.
Unsung hero's without fame,
but real true hero's just the same.
When in a fire, one should die,
bless their family when they cry.
And there in heaven may they dwell.
They've already fought the fires of hell.
poem by Ron Tranmer
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Fire has impacted every part of our lives - without fire, there would be no shopping, right? - that's how the Internet will intrude on our lives, particularly our kids' lives.
Heroes
There are no super heroes in this world,
but there are heroes abound.
They are ordinary people
just like you and I.
They cannot leap tall buildings
with a single bound,
or scale walls with their fingertips.
They cannot fly without wings,
nor stop speeding cars
just by standing in front of them.
What they can do and do
is go out of their way to save lives.
They want no recognition
for the risks they sometimes take.
A spur of the moment action
is all their bravery takes.
They put their lives on the line
so others may live,
and then walk away from it
when it is all over
as if nothing happened at all.
These heroes have names and faces,
but are hardly known at all.
They are never out for fame,
just to help another living thing
that may be in distress.
Some are recognised and honoured;
others just go on their way
becoming unsung heroes
who just saved the day.
For all those unsung heroes
who are around us every day
this poem is my tribute
to you one and all
with a big thank you from us all.
You have shown us what real courage is.
You may not be known to many,
but to those you’ve helped
they will always remember you
as being the hero there
when they needed one the most.
20 July 2008
poem by David Harris
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Where Is The Fire?
Where is the fire
That burnt in freedom fighters
Making them selfless
Dying for our independence
Where is the fire
That burnt in J.M and Ouko
And others who were felled
Making them love truth
For it, paying the ultimate price
Where is the fire
That burnt in the then leaders
Making them fearless
Suffering for multiparty politics
Where is the fire
That burnt in civil rights activists
The poor peoples defenders
And others who attended kamukunjis
Where is the fire
That burnt individualism
In dire times of crises
Where is the fire?
poem by Kelvin Karani
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Go, be brave
Go, be brave, step into a ring of fire
No excuses – it is your desire
It is the only choice to exist
Despite what people tell you,
The people don’t want to assist
Go, be brave, kill the beast
Free my people, free yourself at the least
He, who doesn't risk, never gets to drink champagne
Although, the people lack courage
These people will call you an insane
Go, be brave, take the plunge
Show your true colors,
Unleash the damn avalanche
When shit hits the fan, in a big stinking wave
The nature will punish cowards and reward the braves
poem by Slava Olchevski
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The Fire Alarm
Fire-fire-fire! Nigher still and nigher
Seem the tones of the 'Alarum bell' borne on the air!
Awaking with a start, what a sinking of the heart
Even the strong are apt to feel, ere they are well aware!
Fire-fire-fire! Higher now and higher
Leaps the madly raging flames as the cry goes round!
In the darkness of the night what a truly awful sight
Is the burning up of homes, while we listen to the sound.
Fire-fire-fire! Behold the havoc dire!
When the black, wreathing smoke a moment clears away-
The flames both hiss and roar as the brave firemen pour
Constantly the crystal streams from Engines in full play.
Fire-fire-fire! Fresh force it does acquire!
The rising wind has sent the blaze unto the other side!
Yet men are standing round in torpor most profound;
Rouse ye up! now fall to work, and let your strength be tried!
Fire-fire-fire! Two blocks seem one vast pyre.
Oh, pity the poor houseless ones-fleeing now away!
Screen them from Winter's blast, for they are on you cast-
That sympathy in measure their losses may repay.
Fire-fire-fire! Thank God, the flames expire!
For a cold, but drenching rain most opportunely comes.
Now honor that Brigade which has such efforts made,
And don't forget your neighbors who have just lost their homes.
poem by Thomas Cowherd
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Friendship Of A Dog
The best friend most people have is their dog on your dog for friendship you can depend
Than your ever devoted canine you cannot have a better friend
Your dog will never forsake you he or she will be your friend for life
A dog's love you can rely on far more than the love of your wife,
There are so many stories of dog devotion risking their lives loved ones to save
When people they love are in danger dogs can be unbelievably brave
They've been known to save people from drowning and they've been known to save people from fire
They do not expect reward for their loyalty so much in them for to admire
Yet some do treat their dogs quite badly cruelty to animals is a serious crime
And perhaps for such an offence a good deterrent would be at least a year of jail time
Any dog is not born to be vicious 'tis their masters who make them this way
A cruel owners makes a dog dangerous that does seem a sad thing to say
Since dogs to us can be so loyal your dog to you can be your best friend
Your wife may decide for to leave you but your dog will stay with you till the end.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Days Of Our Lives
How many times have you walked through my door
How many times have you heard my song before
How many lines until the end of time
These are the days of our lives
How many times did you hear mother say
You would do fine if you didn't sleep all day
Oh mother dear, I'll get a job next year
These are the days of our lives
How many times did you walk down the street
Avoiding cracks that were thrown at your feet
These rainy days were sent to make us pay
But these are the days of our lives
How many roads must a woman walk down
How many walls will surround the town
All that I am could get us out of here
These are the days of our lives
Did you believe in the stories at night
Weren't you afraid when they turned out the light
Oh, such a gas, I'm sorry it won't last
These are the days of our lives
These are the days that some of us regret
These are the days we learn to forget
These are the days that turn us out this way
These are the days of our lives
Of our lives
song performed by by Travis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Fire Bells Are Ringing
One, two, three--hark, hark, boys!
One, two, three, four!
The fire-bells are ringing, this wild wintry night;
They ask aid from District Thirty-four,
There somebody's riches are now taking flight;
On flame-wings away, away they soar.
But hark!
With shriek and wail,
How raves the gale!
Like demon steeds it speeds--
like galloping gangs from Pandemonium hurl'd.
Yes, firemen, take courage! did valiant deeds avail,
Then you were the victors of the world.
Ring the bells again!
Wake the electric wire!
And flash abroad the warning words--
"FIRE! FIRE!"
God save the city! for man's devices fail
When fierce flames with wintry winds conspire,
But hark!
With shriek and wail (With shriek and wail!)
How raves the gale! (How raves the gale!)
Like demon steeds it speeds--
like galloping gangs from Pandemonium hurl'd.
Yes, firemen, take courage! did valiant deeds avail,
Then your were the victors of the world.
One, two, three--hark, hark, boys!
One, two, three, four!
The fire-bells are ringing, an urgent appeal;
The engines go dashing by the door,
All safe here, children, no fear need we feel;
But God help in District Thirty-four,
What's that?
Look there! look there!
A lurid glare
Lights up the sky--aye, aye!
and columns of red, devouring flame appear.
And see! for departure our neighbors prepare;
Perchance there is danger even here.
One, two, three--hark, hark, boys!
One, two, three, four!
The fire-bells are ringing, a last grand alarm;
How vast must the conflagration be!
Our own roof is blazing! yet where, free from harm,
Oh! where shall we our treasures flee?
Let's haste!
'Twill fall! 'Twill fall--
That granite wall;
I see it crumbling, tumbling!
Fly for your lives, from out this fiery grave!
Laid low, crush'd, buried are some beyond recall;
But thank God! my little flock I save.
poem by Henry Clay Work
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For To Reclaim The Night
They march uptown for to reclaim the night
Carrying lighted candles and small battery hand lights
Their peaceful protest for basic human right
And in solidarity you will find much might.
They march for women house bound after dark
Who after sundown shun the street and park
Who bolt their doors a shield against their fear
The fear of danger to them ever near.
They march for women for a crime free life
For the rape victim and the battered wife
And for women wronged by men in every way
Such cases as we read of every day.
When Emily Pankhurst at Epsom race track died
Her sacrifice for women World wide
From there the fight for women's rights began
For all those suffering at the hands of man.
The anti women libbers well might say
That women nowadays have things their own way
But women still victims of rape and foul play
Such stories in newspapers every day.
And till women after sundown leave their home
And without fear walk unlit street alone
Then women must march to reclaim the night
And protest for a basic human right.
poem by Francis Duggan
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