Please Read This Poem Only In The Event Of My Death Poem by Bob and Alex Eichen

This poem is written to those I love.
If you are reading this poem, it means that I am dead.
I want to assure you that when I left for work this morning, I fully intended to return to you.
If I was burned to a crisp,
If I was crushed like a beetle, in a building collapse,
If I was overcome by smoke,
If I had a heart attack while ventilating a roof,
If I was electrocuted,
If I wrecked the truck responding to a call,
If I was exposed to hazardous materials,
If I drowned in the river,
If I fell durring rope rescue,
If I was murdered by a deranged patient,
If I took my own life after experiencing a lifetime of other peoples tragedies..
If I died by any of the above means..
I am sorry!
I hope I died bravely, not running in mortal fear.
I hope my death did not cause death or injury to any of my coworkers.
It was an honor and pleasure serving with you!
I shall miss you.

Note: The author of this poem retired from The Allton Fire Department after thirty years of faithful service. He was given a gold watch at his retirement party and shook hands with the Mayor and two Aldermen in attendance.

Captain B. Middleton died quietly in his sleep forty seven days later. Ironically, he was cremated three days after that.