Volunteer Firefighters
According to the title, volunteer fighters, a crew member of the fire-fighters squad is addressing his fellow staff. These fire-fighters are not paid or appreciated for their risky live saving efforts. Instead, they are all volunteers.
Out of frustration and desperation, he inquires to find assurance of their course and motive in working so tirelessly for ungrateful people and without pay. The fire-fighter's fainting heart desires encouragement to continue with the tireless job. He is concerned that the people disregard their efforts even when their work demands risky options such as using dangerous routes to evade fires. After surviving, they wonder how they dared to take the risky operations yet instead of quitting, with high spirits and strong faith; they wait keenly for another alarm and keep doing the job. The rescue operations never lead to glory or praise from the public. They can only hope that they will be relieved and be congratulated by the songs of the heavenly choir. The fire-fighters desire kindness and justice.
Meaning
The title; volunteer fire-fighters, signifies missionary work where the missionaries ask for no pay and respond whenever there is need. In the ministry that entails saving people from danger, the community rarely appreciates the minister’s efforts. Despite the good intentions and daring actions, the missionaries do not get any kindness or good treatment from the recipients of their efforts. It is frustrating for humans to disregard the efforts of others (especially when the ministers have good intentions and ask for no payment).
In the sentence Yet we won't take a break or quit until we hear the "All Clear" signifies the seal and diligence of the workers that causes them to endure and persist to the end until they are sure they succeed in completely delivering a person in danger and bringing them to safety.
Charles young illustrates the hard-work religious ministers engage in without payment or appreciation. Although frustrated, the stick to their plans and hope for the ultimate reward of possessing heaven. At the end he notes that the work will not be endless as at last, God Himself will take over.
The fire-man’s prayer
The title the fire-man’s prayer, signifies a member of the fire-team who is about to go to yet another dangerous operation.
He addresses the Almighty God to let him have the opportunity to succeed in his efforts to quench fire and save lives if possible. He attributes the success of his operation to God and not his efforts. He would be grateful for the slightest sign of triumph.
Meaning
The fire-man is in service for his country signifies his duty and allegiance to the Kingdom of heaven. A duty he regards as his calling and will do his best in executing every order every time.
“I want to fill my calling” signifies the fire-fighter's desire to satisfy his goals and ambitions according to duties assigned to him by his master (God)
Comparison
Both poems involve the unpredictable nature of fire-fighting. Both fire-men agree on the fact that the job is demanding and risky.
In volunteer fire-fighters, the crew addresses his fellow members and complains about the unfair treatment and ungrateful members of the public. However, in the the second poem, the fire-man addresses God and instead of complaining, is confident in God's protection and guidance.
In volunteer fire-fighters, the sounds of the last words of alternating sentences are marched throughout the poem but not in fire-man’s prayer that is irregular with no specific pattern (Gibbs, Raymond and Colston, 2).
Work Cited
Gibbs, Raymond W, and Herbert L. Colston. Interpreting Figurative Meaning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print.
Lanham, Richard A. Analysing Prose. London [u.a.: Continuum, 2003. Print.
