The Fire Fighter in LA - In The News Today comic poem 503 by Angela Lansbury

 I read of a fine fire fighter

Who'd made patients' burdens lighter

He was a trained, trusty surgeon

Who'd eased each scared patient's burden

He moved to a house in LA

Recalling fires of yesterday

Old-timer, new-comer, stranger

Everybody knew the danger

Delightful views on every hand

But earthquakes meant a fragile land

He changed his roof tiles from old wood

All changed to concrete? Yes, he could

Cut trees? No, leave them for the birds!

But then strong winds grew much higher

The situation grew more dire

From small sparks grows towers of fire

What about smoke? I'm glad you ask

Of course, the surgeon wore a mask

He was a man who had a plan

He saw the dangers and began

First, make good friends with near neighbours

To count on merging behaviours

What else for buildings? I suppose

He'd stocked up water, sprinklers, hose

His first plan was the house to save

If all else failed, though he was brave

He had no boats but he bought floats

So they'd escape on ocean waves

Meanwhile to douse fires on the ground

With spades and earth they ran around

Like Britain's wartime cry, you see

The action's Dig For Victory

He saved his house, his neighbours' too

Now I and you know what to do

In other streets the houses burned

But here's a happy lesson learned.

You plan, and fight with all your might

Take turns to watch all day and night

Now we know how it can be done,

They planned, not frought, but fought and won!

-ends-