Frank Sullivan is a Boston Fire Department dispatcher. His grandfather and uncle served as Boston firefighters. Another uncle, who was a member of the Brockton, Massachusetts Fire Department, died in the line of duty.

AT THE FRONT DOOR
by
Frank Sullivan

Morning dew blankets everything but the soul/
and dawn finds the children cold and lonely.
Where's daddy? They want to know/as tears against their cheeks glow/
for they miss their one and only.

What to say? You must find a way/ as all of you pray/
in the light of a sun/ that went down on fun/ and daddy and all of you.
Not long ago in the smoldering blaze/ of a tenebrous haze/
answering a call to arms/ of multiple alarms.

He always left with a hug/ and your hearts would tug/
Not to fret/ you can bet/ it's generations of duty/ therein the beauty/
of fulfilling a dream/ that held always the threat of a scream/
in the night/ the static fright/ of something not right.

So the moment came/ when at the front door the threshold was crossed/
saying his life was just lost/ Without grabbing at blame/ or perhaps a mistaken name/ you had to choke/ amidst your chill/ due to the smoke/ that still/ stained/ all that remained/ of his gear in the frost.

You fought the tear/ because the children stood near/ 
And somehow you all found/ your way
around/ a house so full of love but so stark/
And the dawn turns to dark/ and a new day.

Your spirit stands upright/ and that despite/ a weight that would bend
those with a lesser cross/ who have not yet felt the loss/
of others/ all sisters and brothers/ who get the news/
because of a life they choose/ that gone is their best friend.

There is no end/ to the flame in your heart; eternal embers so warm/
calm the storm/ from that day so gray/ Only your strength could find a way/
to help us to this day/ to smile/ All the while/ the love you miss/
you don't want to forget/ from the day you first met/ he told you this:

It's what I love/ thank God above/ not more than He nor you/
I'll answer every call/ It's my duty, that's all/ a job I have to do.
If you don't mind/ look ahead not behind/ 'cause this is true for sure/ When He says it's time for you to come home/ You won't be alone/ I'll be waiting at the front door.

Reproduced by permission.        Frank Sullivan...BOSTON MASS. USA

               FATHER, CRADLE US
 

Out of a peaceful, sunlit  sky
came HATE beyond compare;
now lives once full of promise
Sadly are no longer there.

Crush'd 'neath tons of rubble,
where once great towers  stood;
graves HATE digg'd without regret,
for HATE'S EVIL NEVER  COULD ! ! !

Now mother's hearts are brok'n,
father's eyes dimm'd with  tears;
Children stare thru disbelieving eyes,
bent double by pain and  fears.

Brave Rescuers labor long & hard,
sweat 'n tears stream down their faces;
hoping for some sign of life among
those HATE-TORN  places.

BUT - this is but one blood-stain'd page
writ by HATE'S EVIL hand; AND  GOD
will not be MOCK'D, my friends, LOVE
shall HEAL OUR CHERISH'D   LAND!!!

For-still proudly waves OLD GLORY,
'bove tons of ash and  steel;
AMERICA- THE BEAUTIFUL - FATHER
knows  just  how we  feel.

Knows how to bathe a grieving heart
with GILEAD'S  soothing  balm;  AND
cradle us 'neath HIS shelt'ring wings
RESTORE - RENEW and  CALM!!!

Restore HOPE where there is hopelessness,
change darkness into LIGHT;  those
candles our own hands lately lit,
KEEP THEM BURNING SO BRIGHT ! ! !

YES   GOD IS  LOVE - GOD IS  PEACE,
our REFUGE, STRENGTH, our  KiNG;
AND HE WILL HEAL OUR WOUNDED HEARTS
COMFORT to our SOULS HE'LL  BRING ! ! !
 
Mary C. Mizrany  © Humble, Texas   USA
 

"A FIREFIGHTERS WIFE"

My Husband has chosen a career that could endanger his life,

And I am proud to say, "I'm a Firefighters Wife."

As he puts on his uniform and heads out the door,

The Husband and Father I know, becomes so much more.

He protects our community to the best that he can,

And I've come to learn that my Firefighter is a special man.

All fellow Firefighters are considered their Brothers,

And the bond and trust between them is like no other.

The sounds of the siren as the truck leaves in a hurry,

Still tugs at my heart but I have little cause to worry.

My Firefighter is a professional and trained to do his best,

And with God and his Brothers watching over him, they will

take care of the rest.

To our children their Father is someone they admire,

As their eyes light up when they say "My Daddy fights fires."

To protect people's lives and their property, that is his mandate,

And I trust in him to be careful as he knows his family waits.

And if by some awful twist of fate he should lose his life,

I will always be proud to say, "I'm a Firefighters Wife."

Nancy Taylor ©    Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada

The world sat and watched in horror  that broken day
It was an image, like Challenger, that will be in our minds to stay
As demon-possessed terrorists took many precious, innocent lives
A memory that will take lots of  healing as with the question "why?" one strives

Why does it take such a tragedy to bring our nation to its knees?
Why does it stop us in our tracks to pray, to hurt, to love, to  grieve?
Why would  a loving God allow such loss and pain?
Why can't we just live in peace without cause to go insane?
 
We, the people of the United States of America, have from truth  wandered
This country was built to stand for freedom as we all have pondered
We don't stand up for what is right  when we allow self to take control
But our freedom to do the wrong has destined us  to pay the toll

We say, "God Bless America" as we hold our flag up high
There's a  fine line between being proud and having pride by and by
He says, "If my people...will  humble themselves...and pray..."
We have a choice to make and that choice is  today.

Bobbie Connolly  Houston, Texas   USA

Common Ground

On September 11th the planes attacked
Four planeloads of people were hijacked
Metal collasping to the  ground
Explosions, fire, people all around.

Two flew into the world  trade towers
The pentagon hit too by these lowly cowards
And as we  watched in disbelief
Their people cheered maddly over our grief

In America the land of the free
We ask ourselves how can this be?
In this  melting pot we have finally found
One cause worthy of our common ground.

Every American young and old
Is ready for this fight
It's made  our country stronger
Made Americans unite!

We are superior as you will see
We'll give 'em one hell of a fight
We'll show the world how strong America is
When Americans unite!

Alta A Muir   © Otsego, Michigan  USA

                       The Day The World Stood Still

Nobody knew what was coming when the airplanes flew
Into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, too
The passengers' heroics before the Pennsylvania crash
Saved untold more lives from the terrorists' lash
 
People all over the world stopped and stared
At their television screens and computer monitors' glare
Watching the destruction of architecture and life
And the aftermath of helplessness, suffering, and strife
 
Survivors and witnesses felt too many emotions to name
Someone was responsible, but we didn't know who to blame
The destruction hit us hard, many were injured, even more died
Everyone there tried to help as we all watched and cried
 
I am but one voice who speaks from the heart
Feeling a myriad of feelings, I don't know where to start
As I see videos and pictures of other countries displaying
Their emotions ranging from crying to praying
 
Candlelight vigils and moments of silence to grieve
Shared tears of sadness ... You made me believe
All over the world came support out of the blue
You showed us you care! This American thanks you!
 
We now know who's responsible for the evil bloodlust
It's now clear that retaliation is a must
United we stand as the world hopes to defeat
Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist fleet
 
History will never forget the destructive insanities
Of one man's attempt to bring America to its knees
We all witnessed a madman's determination to kill
September 11, 2001 ... the day the world stood still
 
               Michelle Mundling © Waycross Georgia USA

TERROR FROM THE SKIES

September 11, 2001

Peaceful, sunny morning

Suddenly, shockingly

Death and destruction

Fly from the sky –

Evil with Wings!

NOW

Incredible images

Haunt our imagination

Total annihilation

Thousands killed

Bodies disintegrated

Huge buildings crumbled

Lives and livelihoods gone

Families torn apart

Leaving

 Smoking ruins

Desperate searchers

Broken hearts

Anxious minds

Numbing fear

Disbelief!

BUT

Nothing can destroy

Human spirits

The dead live on

Hope will rise

God's power is intact

Man's will survives

Good will prevail

ANGER

BITTERNESS

RETRIBUTION

WILL NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM!

WE MUST ASK WHY ? ? ?

Our world needs love

Understanding

Co-operation

Forgiveness.

Heartfelt sympathy

Is expressed

To all affected

By this tragedy

Support

And practical help.

THE FUTURE

demands

Tolerance

Kindness and caring

To ALL the hurting

Dispossessed

Downtrodden

In this troubled world

ALSO

We must

Pray for God's mercy

On the perpetrators.

GOD HELP US ALL!!!

September 14, 2001

Honoria  Groves  ©   Oakville, Ontario Canada