rainbow2

   BLACK TUESDAY

It was a dark morning,
the day, darker still.
When we were left to access the loss,
of this embodiment of ill will.
Left with pain we thought we would never feel,
sifting rubble in the dark.
Not knowing exactly what to expect next,
not knowing where to start.
Such a brutal question,
finding the answer will be rough.
How do we defend freedom,
without being forced to give it up?
All the lives sadly gone,
all the bodies we may never find.
Just a promise that this memory,
will never be left behind.
The day America was shaken,
our skin pierced by hate again.
And we stood in utter disbelief,
waiting for this all to end.
Waiting to find justice,
searching for her through the haze.
To pay a return visit on evil,
who visited us on this darkest of days.
   9-11-01
*In memory of those who died for America*
   *God bless them all*

Ross Gallemore © A 15 Yr. Old Seneca, Missouri USA

Diary of Lot's Wife
New York, 9-11-2001

"Look straight ahead", he said, "And don't look up!"
And we followed him out to a world turned to winter
With cooked- meat smells, and smoke that choked
And half-familiar butcher's-block sights.
And we stumbled on things obscene
Where sunlight and smoothness had been
.
"Look straight ahead," he said, "And don't look down!"
But I did look.
Saw two red-wristed hands still clasped-
Hers enamelled and beringed,
His so much bigger, almost covering hers.
Here was a leg, still trousered; shoe in need of repair-
And there a head, wideyed, with smouldering hair.

"Look straight ahead," he said, "And don't look back!"
But I did turn-
And I wept, then,
Until the grey dust that covered me became salt.
For I could see into the very bowels of Hell,
Into the eyes of the Beast, and hear its baying,
And , tongue by tongue, the Nations' futile praying.

ROBIN KNIGHT © Geelong, Australia

United Airlines FLIGHT 93

We will never forget,
The Heroes of
UA-Flight 93

As the plane dove
Toward the ground
A few brave men
Could be found.

Struggling with the
Momentous decision
End the carnage
With a Heavenly vision.

We are going to die
So what will it matter?
Die like crying wimps
Or even a Mad Hatter.

One after the other
They took charge of their destiny
And entered the cockpit
Of their life's ending mystery.

Rose to the challenge
Saying "Let's Roll"
They didn't stop
To take a poll.

They knew
What had to be done
To keep the terrorist
From saying "We Won."

They are the heroes
We often hear about
They take charge
When there is a doubt.

As to the outcome of a tragedy
We will never know
Just what went on there
As the motion wasn't slow.

As they were headed
For the Capital of this Great Nation
They fought
With much determination.

To not let them destroy
What was on their mind
To bring us to our knees
And bow to their kind.

The Center of our government
Was saved by those brave souls
We thank them, from the bottom of our heart,
For attaining their goals.

God, take them
Into your fold
Please enter their hearts,
Their souls to hold.

God Bless America

Lloyd Wooley © Longview Washington USA

CIVILIZED HEARTS

Together as one - Together we grieve,

Civilized hearts - Our minds can't believe.

Our love of freedom and peace - Under siege,

Heartless terrorism - Humanities disease.

A telegraphed punch - So painful the blow,

Twin Towers of pride - Would rain down below.

On Sisters, On Brothers - On Fathers, On Mothers,

On Friends, On Neighbors - On Children, & Others.

Rescue heroes - Pay the ultimate price,

"Oh my god" said their lips - It is happening twice.

We offer our prayers - We donate our blood,

Rescue heroes search - A mountain of glass, metal & mud.

Our Pentagon burns - Soldiers suffer great pain,

Our President saved - Brave men down their own plane.

Over 5000 quiet hearts - Laid side by side,

Would require a morgue - Two miles wide.

Let civilized hearts - Draw a line in the sand,

Denials no option - We know where they stand.

A network of terror - Void of remorse,

We must and we will - Wage war on the source.

Tempered swords in hand - Heads held high,

Eternally resolute - May our Stars & Stripes fly.

Civilized hearts - Over time we shall heal,

United We Stand - Far stronger than steel.

In Memory of All Victims of Terrorism

Jon Rappaport © Charlotte, NC USA 9-14-2001

A Firefighters Daughter

A Firefighter's Daughter...
Is a special kind of girl
far stronger than the rest;
That's how they rate
the Firefighter's Daughter
we're among the best.

So many recitals missed,
but I'll drop the case;
Because duty stole my daddy away and
I know the dangers he'll face.

I remember the dinners gone cold,
or holidays disturbed;
But no matter when, at the call
of that loud siren
daddy's dedication is unswerved.

It's a hard thing for a girl like this;
Who...for the dear love of her daddy,
must cherish every good-bye kiss.
She can mow the shaggy lawn and
comfort a hero in need.
Oh, how her patience stretches
is a miracle indeed.

She's daughter, student,
friend, and nurse;
And when she marries,
she'll be the living symbol of:
"for better or for worse."

Mandy Herbst © Royersford, Pennsylvania USA

The Morning After

It was the morning after,
The horrible tragedy,
There was a lot of noise
From the machinery moving the rubble.
Could anyone have survived?
How long will it take to dig them out?
Waiting by the phone,
Are they all right?

As the missing list grows longer,
The hope grows dimmer.
Along with the innocent people,
Going about their daily routine,
Hundreds of Public Safety workers,
Give their lives.

How could someone do such a horrible thing
And say that it is god's will?
My God would never do such a terrible thing.
He would never ask anyone
To take so many innocent lives.

From all over the country,
People come together to aid in the rescue.
Holding on to that glimmer of hope
That their loved ones are okay.
From New York City To California,
This act of terrorism has affected everyone.
Firefighters, Police officers, and Paramedics
Will never look at their jobs the same way.

But they have not obtained their goal.
America will unite and stand tall.
We will all come together and get through this,
Becoming better people.
We will fight for what everyone
Comes to America for.....FREEDOM.

On this morning after,
Let us reflect on those of us who did not make it.
For the families who have lost loved ones
For all who have lost friends
For all the lives that changed 9/11/01.
From that moment forward
No one will be the same.

TERI HANNAH © Britton, Michigan USA

September 11, 2001

On this date we shall never forget,
All the lives lost and all with regret;
Taken for granted how safe we were,
Our loved ones and friends we held dear.

I love you was said as life turned into fear,
We watched in horror as death grew near;
Helpless we all did feel as they crashed,
Before them their lives had flashed.

Now we must carry on what they started,
Pray for the loved ones and the departed;
Make sure this never ever happens again,
How much bloodshed,how much pain.

Together we win, and divided we fall,
When we have our backs against the wall;
We will not lay down and let them know,
We will win and send them to hell below.

This is for the people that lived and died,
This is for the ones that mourned and cried;
Call our people heroes, call them whatever,
But never forget the middle of September.

September 11, 2001
Jack Spry © W. Palm Beach Florida USA

American Spirit

It was at the end of summer
On a clear and beautiful day
When we saw the smoke of terror
When America started to pray

As shock melted into reality
And millions began to cry
We watched from our own locality
And then we wondered "Why?"

A madman, they said, named bin-Laden
Had taken us all by surprise
The personification of evil
Whose heart heard not the cries

The cries of fathers and mothers
The cries of sisters and friends
The cries of babies and brothers
The cries Americans did send

But this madman, he had no idea
Of the spirit which he had unleashed
It's the spirit called "America"
It's the spirit of freedom and peace!

It's the farmers and the truckers
The lawyers and the teachers
It's the doctors and the hardhats
The housewives and the preachers

It's the song "God Bless America"
It's the young and the old
It's the healthy and disabled
It's the frightened and the bold

It's the firefighters and policemen
Laying their lives on the line
It's the rescue teams and volunteers
Giving themselves and their time

So to the madman named bin-Laden
There is something we all want to say
It is something we don't take lightly
It is something for which you will pay

There is a soul in America
And one you know not of
It is the soul of a Patriot
It is the soul of Love!

Written in honor of those who fell
at the World Trade Center the Pentagon and
in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001

Land Of The Free

it comes of the nobel ones
from the battles where liberty was won
fallen souls speak to the wind
and their blood washes over patriotic shores
a constant for all who would have it not
that resolve will not be shaken
nor peace set aside to fear
and fundamental freedoms
shall reside in the hearts
of all who call it home

GOD BLESS THE USA

TODAY I WAS ABLE

TO GET UP WHEN THE ALARM RANG,
TO WELCOME MY CATS TO A NEW DAY,
TO HAVE MY COFFEE,
TO TAKE MY SHOWER,
TO BRUSH MY TEETH,
TO PUT ON THE FACE I LOST DURING THE NIGHT.

I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK,
TO GREET MY COWORKERS,
TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS,
TO SHARE LUNCH WITH FRIENDS,
TO DO MY TEDIOUS, SOMETIMES BORING, THANKLESS JOB,
TO COME BACK HOME.

NO MATTER HOW MINIMAL THESE THINGS WERE FOR ME,
I AM THANKFUL I WAS ABLE TO DO THEM.

MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS CAN NO LONGER
PERFORM THESE EVERY DAY, MUNDANE TASKS.

THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACKS ON AMERICA

MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND THE ANGELS WATCH OVER THEM.

AND

GOD BLESS AMERICICA

Faith Stevens, Loudon, NH USA

AMERICA THANKS YOU
(Tribute 9-11)

We are the tired, the weary,
a hurting people.
Descendants of the homeless,
Those huddled masses that endured so much
In their bid for Freedom
Their search for Liberty.
Some are first generation
Beckoned from afar,
Recently folded into America's pot.

Our flag at half-staff
Volunteers in the trenches.
Work boots melting, toes shirred.
More lives lost, injuries abound.
Countless lives changed
In the blink of an eye.

A cry rang forth, 'We need so much.'
Unprecedented generosity forced us to halt donations.
The masses pledged their help, answering the call.
Strangers they began
Neighbors they became.

Our veterans, our retired, Young and old,
Again offering their aid,
Have they not yet done enough?
What words could express our gratitude?
We will remember, And we thank you.

Our troops rallied from the trenches,
As our Commander in Chief arrived,
Bringing comfort to the exhausted,
Leaving behind a firm resolve.

A shake of his hand, A gentle smile,
A nod, A word of encouragement,
A moment of respite, For our dear workers.
We will remember,
And we thank you, President "W" Bush.

Man's best friend arrived on the scene
Sharing with us their precious snouts.
A Neighbor from the North saw a need,
Then sent us boots to protect their paws.
Our friends are safely back in the trenches.
We will remember, And we thank you.

A moment of silence around the world,
Beloved neighbors, we heard your pause.
We smelled the bouquets you've placed,
A gift of beauty, A reminder of life.
You've shown your love in so many ways.
In every language, far and wide, we thank you.

To the unsung heroes, The silent helpers,
Our men and women in the trenches,
The nameless, performing untold deeds,
Seeing unspeakable tragedy,
To those whose deeds are yet undone,
America will remember, And we thank you.

America will endure.
She will cherish her memories.
She will rebuild,
With the gifts left behind by our loved ones:
Their courage. Their hope. Their spirit.

And when joy and laughter
have dulled the aching sadness,
May we remember to share these gifts with all.
For the generosity of the human spirit
cannot be measured,
Nor can it be quenched.

The hearts of America, Beating as ONE,
Celebrate your kindness, Your generosity.
This home of the brave
Will remain a beacon
For the tired, the poor, the huddled masses,
Yearning to breathe free.

Our Lamp remains lifted
Awaiting the homeless,
Ready to embrace the tempest tossed.

This Lamp will not be extinguished.
For it is the Spirit of America
Which fuels Her lamp.
May God hold you
in the palm of His hand.

Darlene Arechederra
Copyright October 15, 2001
darone@swbell.net