Last night I couldn't sleep until I wrote this down:

THE AFTERMATH

I want to wake up in the morning and find this has been a dream,
This unspeakable thing of horror-results of a madman's scheme.

I know this time has changed us forever so brother, sister, take my hand,
And help us work together to heal the evil that's attacked our land.

They were mothers and fathers, siblings, family and friends too,
Service men and women--both on land and all those who flew.

The shock, the pain cannot be measured-the daze we feel inside,
But I rejoice in the spirit and love grown out in a rising tide.

It's my desire to take those in pain and give first a heart-felt hug;
Filling the air with a feeling of hope to cast off despair with a shrug.

Lighting our candles, praying as one, may seem so little to do;
But all that spirit of faith can move mountains-this is what we pursue.

What else is needed? How can we help? What can we do for our land?
Protecting our right to live in safety-to do this together we band.

Everywhere you see our country taking hold of their world,
Giving their blood, giving their time, having their flags unfurled.

I live in California but I am a native New Yorker. A few months ago, I went back home to visit family and we made a pilgimage to the site:

GROUND ZERO

Hush-a-by my baby child, pause to bow your head,
We are alive and at the site where many to death were lead.

Say a prayer for all who hurt, let drop a tear or two.
For all of those that ache with pain-more than they ever knew.

We journeyed there, amidst the crowd of many on that day,
To see the site, Ground Zero, and the sorrow on display.

A somber and respecting crowd, there was that unseen hush,
Murmurs of the many who paused in their daily rush.

They come from far, day after day, not knowing what to expect,
And so, each in their own way, did their best to pay respect.

Why do we all converge to view despite the cold and rain?
Are we trying to make sense of that which caused such wrenching pain?

Many others gathered round though not much to view was there.
A pilgrimage to honor souls and to show we care.

I left a sprig of rosemary “for remembrance” as they say,
To acknowledge grief and sadness for what happened on that day.

Last updated: 11/11/02