Who Is That There

by Dr. F. D. Epperson
(Knoxville, Tennessee)

WHO IS THAT THERE?
WHO IS THAT THERE, THROUGH THICK, BLACK SMOKE,
WHO COVERS THAT CHILD WITH A BUNKER COAT?
WHO BREATHES-IN LIFE, THAT WE MAY LIVE;
WHO CARES SO MUCH—THEIR LIVES TO GIVE?
WHO IS THAT THERE, AS DISASTER FELL;
WHO RISK THEIR LIVES, TO ANSWER THE BELL?
WHO FACES DEATH, TO HONOR THE CALL;
AS IF DISASTER, WERE NO DISASTER, AT ALL?
WHO IS THAT THERE, THE PEOPLE ASK,
IN TIMES SO TOUGH, WHEN LIFE’S A TASK?
WHO SEEMS TO BE, THE CALMING WAVE;
WHO IS THAT THERE, SO GOOD, SO BRAVE?
WHO IS THAT THERE, WHO BREAKS INSIDE;
WHEN NEWS COMES BACK THAT PEOPLE DIED?
WHEN LIFE’S SO FULL OF QUESTIONS SURE;
WHEN ANSWERS FAIL TO BE THE CURE?
WHO IS THAT THERE, WHO FIGHTS THE FIRE;
WHO RESCUES US FROM TRAGIC MIRE?
WHO SAVES OUR LIVES FROM DEADLY BLAST;
WHOSE FACE IS BLUR FROM MOVING FAST?
WHO KNOWS THEIR NAMES—IT’S HARD TO SAY;
I’M SURE THAT GOD TAKES NOTES TODAY.
HE MUST WRITE-DOWN THEIR BRAVEST DEEDS,
AND TRULY KNOWS THEIR VERY NEEDS.
WHO IS THAT THERE, AS ON THEY GO;
TO FIGHT ANOTHER DEADLY FOE?
OUR HEROES SURE, GOD BLESS THEM ALL;
AND KEEP THEM SAFE, ON THIS NEXT CALL.
—Chaplain, F. D. Epperson