I Challenge You to Challenge Me to Write

Writing challenge for this week - "There's a little hero in all of us" started by @Fungirlmmm

[center][b][i][u]An ode to the unsung heroes[/u][/i][/b][/center]

"Stay where you are! No going out" , these days that's what they all say,
But rain or sunshine, I've to go work, there's no other way.
They call me their [b]hero[/b], for I still go out and to them that's brave,
Because I do things that keep things running, "essential service", they say.
But trust me when I say this, I'm really not that brave,
I'm just doing my job, and that's what I do for bills I need to pay.
And when I think of quitting, because I'm overworked,
This insane thought hits me, like a bonfire that's been sparked,
"If not me, then who? Who will do my work?"
For if everyone thinks of quitting like me, we'll soon be in the dark.
You may get on your balconies to clap and sing praises for me,
But there are some more, whose contributions you do not see.
For there are families of those serving now,
No one's ever thought about how they're being stout.
For one, my dear mama, old as she is,
By taking me in when I come back home, is putting herself at risk.
"Mama I'm home!" whenever I say after coming back, like a good daughter,
The old lady comes rushing out with some soap towel and water.
As I wash myself clean with it before going inside home,
I feel the tiredness washing out, I feel [b]grateful[/b] and guilty for mom.
There's the good doctor whose wife and daughter live down the street,
Probably he too feels the same when he comes home every week.
There's no one at my place who comes to work with pride,
That doesn't worry about their family, and this they cannot hide.
When my mum says "You've done enough, you got to take some rest"
I retort "I've got a world to [b]save[/b] and I've got to give my best".
I hear the plea hidden in my mama's voice,
And although letting me in her house is her choice,
If there's one thing I'm certain of in these [b]uncertain[/b] [b]times[/b],
"We're in this together!" and that's what mom's fierce gaze chimes.
For you may call us brave, but the braves feel scared too,
Risking your close one's life needs a different kind of bravery though.
Next time you sing some praise for us, remember these unsung heroes too,
For without their [b]support[/b] and their warmth, we don't know what we would do.
For there's a hero in each of them,that has already decided,
They're with us, no matter what, and this sacrifice can't be unsighted.