Firefighter

I've stood on the ashes of what once was a home,
Smoking, smouldering, uncovered the bones;
I've knelt on the asphalt in gear and helmet,
Applied careful pressure to halt the fatal bleeding;
I've dragged my fair share - and more - of hose,
Kicked through sheetrock to save a life,
Prayed there was something left there to save;
I've been the heart and lungs of many,
Kept going because it's his wife of five decades,
Her grandmother, their mother,
Though I know I'll have to call it later;
I've landed a helicopter in the middle of the field,
Splinted and bandaged the high school quarterback;
I've stood tall and proud in uniform,
Shown the strength of my brothers and more -
I'm a firefighter...
But I'm also a woman.