Sitting eerily silent after these forgotten years

The abandoned firehouse rests without fears

 

Remaining alive, vivid memories reign again

Quietly remembering all that had once been

 

Rising above a busy street, the firehouse stands

Firefighters arrive on deck, with powerful hands

 

Living quarters on the second floor make due

Firefighters’ labors never seem quite through

 

Recalling a flawless safety record that shines

Teamwork and training work together just fine

 

Feeling safe, homes and merchants live nearby

They all witness courage as every day races by

 

Filling the ground floor, two red engines wait

The ensuing alarm will signal their next fate

 

Waiting side by side . . . shiny, clean, and bright

Pumper and ladder engines, eager to take flight

 

Providing basic firefighting is the pumper’s place

While the ladder reaches high floors, just in case

 

Visiting a nearby grade school one October day

The ladder engine shows off in a marvelous way

 

Encouraging children ask the ladder to go high

Accommodating firefighters look prepared to fly

 

Returning to the firehouse, a calm and inviting sight

An alarm goes out, both engines prepare for the fight

 

Sliding down a pole, firefighters destined for action

Their special clothing assembled, ready in a fraction

 

Rolling out to the street, piercing sirens wail

These seasoned warriors intend never to fail

 

Weaving through traffic, the engines arrive in time

Quick response calms the fire before it can climb

 

Remembering the past, the excitement is long done

The old firehouse stands ready for one final, fire run

 

The fire house in the photograph is the former fire department headquarters in Cambridge, Maryland.  It sits empty today, waiting for its next assignment.