
ask anybody who their idol is
its most likely its a pop star or a film actor
or a professional sports person
why do we place entertainers in such high esteem
they earn ridiculous amounts of money
just to sing a song or speak to a camera or hit a ball
they also get paid for endorsements
telling us all what to wear or eat
as if they were some kind of expert
they often gather at lavish galas
showering each other with self gratifying awards
making rambling speeches often while drunk
but audiences still lap it up
your idols are forgiven their bad behavior
intoxication and infidelity are accepted
as par for the course of stardom
your invisible unsung heroes are all around you
volunteer firefighters will fearlessly rush into your burning home
paramedics will save your life if you crash your car
ER doctors will be alert at 4am to to treat you when chronically sick
intensive care nurses will work long shifts to bring you back to good health
poorly paid cleaners will scrub the hospital floors you walk on
if you become homeless or starving you will encounter living angels
police officers will risk their lives protecting you from criminals
coastguard pilots will rescue you if you are lost in raging seas
military personnel will hunt down dangerous terrorists who could harm you
agricultural workers will tirelessly harvest crops for your food
your life is better now because forgotten activists tirelessly fought injustice
the list of your invisible unsung heroes is endless
but you will never see one drunk walking a red carpet