Joke.

Joke?

Dozing peacefully by the fire, listening to the telly and the tumble
drier.
Carefully moving the roasting toes.
No trouble or worry, no care or woe.
Then all of a sudden, from a light sleep
I awaken to a shrill, Beep, Beep Beep.
Leaping out of the deep arm chair,
I fumble my fingers through my hair,
while looking for something to put on my feet
to keep out the cold and keep in the heat.
All I can find are fluffy slippers,
at least they're the wife's and not the nippers.
Out of the door and down the street
desperate to keep the slippers on feet.
Rush into the station and grab a tally
no time for hello or let's be pally.
Off with the slippers and on with the boots,
on with tunics, some over suits.
Start up the truck and open the door
then press down the peddle onto the floor.
Blue lights flash and sirens wail
the engine roars like wind in a gale.
Out of the town up over the hill,
the adrenalin gives a hell of a thrill.
Out in the country, going so far
using the sirens to warn the cars.
Then out of the noise, the radio spoke.
"Pack up and go home lads, it's only a joke".
Back to the station and wash down the truck, can't put it away all
covered in muck.
Suddenly weary, all of us care
Wondering quietly, who would dare?
Another of many, a false alarm,
somebody thinks,"It'll do no harm".
But while we're away, a real shout,
another station has to turn out.
Twenty five minutes the fire must wait,
while they cross the county and arrive too late
to save the house that's burnt to the ground.
Everyone watches without a sound
as they search through the ashes to find the one from who, 'cos of a
'joke' all life has gone.
A simple phone call, it's just a joke.
But, it causes the death of some innocent bloke.