TOWERS OF ANGELS

Two towers stood side-by-side so high in the air
So strong, so commanding, so proud to be there
Completing a landscape now frozen in time
A part of the old New York City skyline
How can we forget that a part of us died?
When freedom and evil were forced to collide

The towers were hit, but our hearts crashed as well
The moment our freedom and liberty fell
Trapping Americans deep in its core
Pushing once peace to the onset of war
Collapsing so strong and so fast on our peers
Evoking our gravest and darkest of fears

Shaking our foundation and causing the slide
The most valuable loss was that from inside
Our Mothers and Fathers once bright and alive
Helped our sisters and brothers fight to survive
Our friends and cousins fought hard to pull through
As our sons and daughters did the best they could do

Americans watched in horror, hands tied to prevent
The avalanche of humanity brought down to cement
Now side-by-side, new strength rose in the towers place
Men and women working at a hurried, frantic pace
Through piles and piles of wreckage and debris
Hoping that more survivors is what they would see

Americans banning together, soaring flags, showing pride
Looking to a higher power, so thankful to be alive
Struggling with torment and helpless feelings of unrest
Certainly our great Nation had received its ultimate test
And as the world watched and prayed, counting the days
Offering help in so many astounding, inspirational ways

A miracle happened; the ruble and debris began to rise
American's watched in amazement, not believing their eyes
White, billowy wings surfaced - breaking through the ground
Spirals and spirals of bright, beautiful light danced around
They're Angels, my God! Wings upon wings soaring to be free
Flapping, ascending, flying through the space the towers use to be

Dancing and laughing, smiling and singing as they rise through the air
Thanking, applauding, kissing America for the freedom that we share
As tears befall the eyes of those distressed and pained to see them go
They offer up their hearts, their strength and most importantly their souls
For America they fly so high, so far, as they flutter their good-byes
For they are our Heroes, our greatest sacrifice, our towers of angels in the skies

Megan Marinello

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.
God bless each and every one of us, and God bless America.

Susan Aldrige (Chicopee, MA)
September 19, 2001
smoozekat@cs.com

A Place Of Blood

As the blanket of the morning dew,
Sparkles by the sun's early Light.
We do feel a new energy and Sadness,
From the power of this awesome Sight.

Now as I watch with hope,
As the brave workers lay away this Ground.
There is an alertness ... bringing
Forth a spirit,
As I pray with hope for a Survivor's sound.

Here together are Fathers, Mothers and Friends,
Lying here in one place.
These are "Americans" who gave Their life,
With no separation of race.

Yes ... many tears will be shed,
By the families who wait and watch Alone.
This poem is for all of them,
Who still believe "My Country Tis
Of thee" ... is "America's most Hallow song"

Bruce W. Beck, USN, USAF
Ameican Legion Post 400
Paralyzed Veterans of America
September 13, 2001

The pain we cannot speak was shown graphically in the faces of the rescue workers who began their terrible work immediately following the cowardly attack on the World Trade Center. Covered in dust and smoke, eyes reddened by the toxic air, these heroes struggled to find a way to help those who might have survived. In the hours we watched these live broadcasts, we saw these selfless men and women grow weary, but still they continued their work. Their bodies seemed heavy with fatigue beyond our ability to imagine. I believe they embodied the feelings of each of us.....weary, stunned, grieving.....but refusing to yield to defeat. We have lost brothers and sisters to an act too barbarous to contemplate. Let us reach out to each other and offer comfort to those who have suffered so grieviously. God bless our nation and help us to heal in the days to come. May God lead us to seek justice.....not revenge.

Marion Mazzola (Broomfield, CO)
September 20, 2001
JMazzola@rmi.net

If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially.

--Ernest Hemingway
"A Farewell to Arms"

A TRIBUTE

What to say eludes most now,
Such heartache, and pain, from near and far.
But I shall try, because I must,
Continue to have faith and lots of trust.
It's hard to comprehend what's happened here,
But your loved ones are cherished, do not ever fear.
The tears pour out, our hearts filled with pain,
Your loved ones are treasured, for all of our gain.
We stand united, our country is strong,
But the ache in your hearts will be deep and long.
Please know we are praying, for you, each day,
We stand with you, dear friends, may God light the way.

Author Unknown

It is with deep sadness that I send you my thoughts and prayers today. I'm from Australia, and the mood here is also very sombre. All our media is focused on those terrible events of last week - you could say our nation is also in a state of deep shock. Even though we are thousands of miles away, and I know it sounds like an insignificant gesture in the face of it all, but please believe we share your pain.

This unprecedented attack on, as someone so eloquently put it, the "beacon" of freedom and democracy will certainly go down in history's annals as one of the worst horrors during peacetime. Like you all, I just cant believe this could happen in the most complex, advanced and sophisticated nation on the planet. Somehow I think our world will never be the same again.

I visited NYC for a couple of weeks earlier this year. Of course I was one of those 100,000++ daily visitors who made a pilgrimage to the top of the WTC. What a beautiful and grand city New York is! I have to admit its my favourite city in the whole world. Such energy, guts and determination. As your President said, the foundations may have been shaken, but it wont shake the foundations of the American people. I have many friends from the US and they are devastated, but not broken. What makes a good nation great is not only its shared beliefs, but also the tolerance and celebration of its differences. When I was in NYC I was dazzled by the brilliant vapours rising from that great melting pot. I truly believe this eclectic mix in all its glory will somehow come together and serve you well at this time of need.

I’ve hardly thought of anything else this past week. I can't feel anything but the weight of grief and sorrow and my prayers go out to you all, especially those of you living and working around the scenes or those with loved ones involved in some way. Please accept my most heartfelt condolences to the families of those missing. I'm sorry if this has been long-winded, but I just feel so very sorry and utterly helpless. I only wish I could do something more than offer prayer and a sense of connection.

Peace and Love from Australia

Wendy Corfield (Brisbane, Australia)
September 20, 2001
wlcorfi@hotmail.com