Just went by the Dunsmuir Fire Station
on my walk today.
I was sitting on the rail
in front of the Sheriff’s Office
to catch my breath
when a fire cruiser pulled up.
The driver got out,
went across the street
to the City Hall,
came back with a sheet of paper.
I got up with my poles
so I would reach his car
the same time he did.
He opened the hatch back
and I said,
“You firefighters are heroes.
I’m from Altadena,
the fires,
and firefighters came
from Mexico and Canada
and Nevada and…”
He said, “We sent a contingent
to help out.”
I said, “We appreciate it.”
He said, “Neighbors helping neighbors.”
We didn’t need politics
or extra words.
I said, “That’s the way it should be.”
He said, “Yup.”