Editor’s Note: Fire chief and paramedic Michael Roxbury writes poetry as a means to understand the stress he has experienced as a paramedic for more than two decades. Chief Roxbury’s hope is that others don’t ignore the warning signs of PTSD, as he did for far too long, and seek out help or resources they may need.
The Ferryman
Gathered they were, on my forlorn shore
Shadows of men they were before
To stand and wait their final ride
To be ferried to the other side
And pay the price for life
Many there were and many more
Men who died in peace and war
But all come to this loathsome place
To meet a man you all must face
And take life’s final journey
And now I come, in cloaks of black
A mist rolls round and off my back
And darkness follows my little ship
Right to the shore I let it slip
To gather up my load
Astride my deck, I ply my trade
Many trips this boatman’s made
A raft of souls have paid my fare
To ferry them from here to there
And that is what I did
With coins in hand the shadows board
The coins were mine and mine to hoard
You pay a price to ride my barge
A fee that only I can charge
To help you cross the void
The River Styx runs less than wide
But a gulf it is to those inside
A gulf no living man may cross
But only shadows who feel the loss
Of life they once did have
And so they came to another shore
Farther from life than ever before
To forever dwell in a distant place
But not the last to see my face
No, there would be many more
Any pain I feel I do not show
I take them where you all must go
But as for me there would not be
An end to sailing that narrow sea
And watching life’s last struggle
About the Author
Michael Roxbury has served as the Fire Chief and Paramedic for the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District since 1997. In his 18 years as Chief of District he has served as the only Paramedic for that population and has instructed many EMT students. With a career spanning over 25 years Chief Roxbury is intimately familiar with the challenges of rural EMS delivery with a volunteer force. He lives in Umatilla, Oregon with his girlfriend and has two adult children.