Ladies Auxiliary Prayer

The ladies wait, while the men respond,
united as one in a common bond.
the bond of serving, each in their own way,
the needs that arise, be what they may.
The reheated meals, the unsipped drink,
are a common occurrence, much more than you think.
It's mostly routine and done without flair,
the men return, their ladies are there.
But then comes the call, the tough one to fight,
a working fire that may last through the night.
The ladies again wait, but this time they know,
that sooner of later, they too will go.
As they wait for the signal, the time draws near,
for that sooner or later to be suddenly here.
The men are all weary, some are spent,
the refreshments that arrive are like heaven sent.
The auxiliary, in fact is more than a name,
it's a dedicated arm of the volunteer game.
So God, when we pray, for the firemen's care, 
include the ladies who were also there.

R.Lewis c. 1979