sometimes you do forget

i often get annoyed with the fire station across the street. it could be the 2am fire alarms, and inevitable 2am sirens. it could be that they clean their saws promptly at 9am and 5:30pm everyday. it could be that some leer at me for far too long when i'm walking by doing anything from getting groceries to going out for the night. or it could be the tourists blocking the sidewalks pausing to take endless pictures of the authentic fdny.

and some of those guys have this obnoxious bravado.

...until...

this morning. when i look out my window. and see the men lined up in front of their truck. in full dress. with bowed heads. saying a prayer. for the many they've lost. and as they lift their heads, one of the men wipes a handkerchief across his eyes. and exhales. receiving a few pats of comfort from his fellow firemen.