"Brave, Powerful, Confident, Courageous."
Words often used to describe you.
A life that's so alluring,
To those who don't survive it day by day.
You are those words,
Live those words,
But you are so much more.
Before the start of every shift,
You face your own reflection.
Your vest you tightly fasten.
Your shirt,
Through which you push strong arms
In dark blue sleeves,
One by one.
You bend to lace black boots.
The ones you polished yesterday.
Finally, you pin your badge securely to your chest.
This badge of courage and of honor,
Has proudly come to rest
On the one that we call
"sister, brother, mother, father;
wife, husband, daughter, son."
As you turn to leave,
You gently kiss your family,
Who await your safe return,
But also know your promise made to protect and serve.
A promise made to strangers
Who know not your sacrifice.
A promise that may demand you
To leave the ones you love behind.
Your eyes have seen such tragedy,
Hurting, and regret.
Your hands will fight
For the justice and the safety of those you've never met.
Your body and your spirit endure each endless hour,
Of a tour that lasts the morning, noon,
Or the whole night through.
Please know as you travel quickly homeward bound, that,
Hero,
We thank you.
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