RETURN TO SENDER

You missed your kids first steps again Pulled a double slept in the bay Blood on your shoes, coffee for dinner Still showed up anyway You patched that stranger in the Walmart lot Held her hand til she could breathe You drove Code 3 through your own burnout So the city could sleep You did the work, I got the raise You took the calls, I got the praise Your back, my ladder, what can I say Thanks for you sacrifice It really helps my pay You skipped the surgery on your shoulder Cuz we’re a little short this week You iced it down between fake smiles Then signed up for OT You cried in the rig on Christmas morning, quiet Parked behind the store They called it passion, called it service They called me in for more You did the work, I got the raise You took the hits, I got the phrase “Outstanding Leadership”, framed in oak and gray Your missed holidays, keep pushing my pay scale I see your tired eyes, your stitched up knees I see you count the pennies for your fees I see your broken sleep, your busted cars I see enough to brag about your scars You did the work, I got the raise You bled in back, I signed the page They love my vision, they love my face Your quiet courage funds my happy little place So here’s to you my weary heroes Clocking in for one more run If they ever pay you what you’re worth I might be out of a job I won

This chart was electronically reviewed by Synthetic Medic Medical Center. Accuracy may vary depending on staffing, caffeine levels, and whether anyone actually read the note.