Yet Another Ode to Dr. Perry
by A. Davis
September 1986
Once again my voice I raise
To laud our Joe in rhyming phrase,
For Joe has shown us all his pluck
Is not confined to saving ducks.
It seems he finds himself distinguished
Concerning flames he late extinguished
So here is how the story goes,
Or so I’m told by one who knows.
“Twas once upon a stormy nite
When witnessed Joe an awesome sight—
Upon the neighbor’s roof a flash
Of mighty light and then, a crash
Joe stood in mute anticipation
Of some religious revelation
But when no angel reared its head,
And flames began to leap instead,
Our doctor came to understand
That matters he must take in hand;
By standing rooted in amazement
The house would be soon in ablazement
His silent lips became undone
And shouted “Dial 911!”
Rushed then Joe into the breach
With hose clenched tightly in his teeth
(The hose’s stream, when Joe took measure
Was somewhat short on water pressure
Requiring Joe to climb much higher—
Up on the roof—to douse the fire.)
Joe bravely made the needed climb,
Arriving in the nick of time.
He made short work of putting out
The fire this poem is all about.
So when the pro’s came on the scene
Joe sat upon the roof serene
(The truth, however, in the matter—
He was waiting for the fireman’s ladder
For Joe, it seems, had sadly found
The real dilemma was getting down.)
So there he sat, with discretion and valor
And a little soot to hide the pallor
But yet a hero, be it said;
Where Joe rushed in, no angel tread.
