A collection of poems written in response to 9/11/2001

*WHAT HAPPENED?* What happened that September Day We all struggle to understand With grief and anguish in our hearts Our country must take a stand Soon the stars and stripes appear on every home and car A symbol of our strength and hope As we prepare in war As the flags grow scarce We search far and wide The need for "Old Glory" To reflect our pride... ...Time goes on, months have passed The wounds still fresh for many The families of September 11th Seek normalcy, if any But wait, what's this, the stars and stripes That once flew far and wide Many ripped and torn and faded Have we forgotten about our pride? I wonder what the families think Old Glory now worn and tattered As they pass those familiar homes and cars The flag, once all that mattered It makes me think about our nation When I see our flag so frayed How soon we all forget the pain Of that tragic September day So let's think about those special heroes Who lost their lives that day And honor them with fitting flags And for the families...Pray by Gwen Loiacono	By: Carli Bybel Age: 11

One by one the planes went down Each with a crash and devastating sound. It was something no one wanted to see or hear Because now the American people live life in fear. They say we'll get revenge, but that won't be good enough We just need now to pray, be strong and tough. These were innocent people who lost their lives Some were fathers, uncles, mothers, and wives. What could we say or do in something tragic like this? Hold our heads high, and give everyone and hug and kiss. Yes, it might be good to fight back But it could kill more people in the state of attack. We just need to pray for all the loved ones dead, missing, or lost And just have those people pay a pricely cost. Imagine all the deathly screams and cries And all the policemen and firefighters who lost their lives. These bad people were the ones to blame But yet the United States doesn't hold its head in shame. Americans need to help as much as we can For every woman and man. I never believed in "Home of the Brave" Until the policemen and firefighters made the heroic saves. New York City and the United States will never be the same Because those people made us a part of their game. I love seeing the words "UNITED WE STAND" Because when the Americans get knocked down, on our feet we always land. We just need to think and take our time Because I believe the United States and New York will again SHINE!!! By: Nicole Gallarello (in remembrance of 9-11 )	*TWO THOUSAND ONE, NINE ELEVEN (2001-911)* Two thousand one, nine eleven Three thousand plus arrive in heaven As they pass through the gate, Thousands more appear in wait A bearded man with stovepipe hat Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat" They settle down in seats of clouds A man named Martin shouts out proud "I have a dream!" and once he did The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives." Groups of soldiers in blue and gray Others in khaki, and green then say "We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine" The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain." From a man on sticks one could hear "The only thing we have to fear. The Newcomer said, "We know the rest, trust us sir, we've passed that test." "Courage doesn't hide in caves You can't bury freedom, in a grave," The Newcomers had heard this voice before A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores A silence fell within the mist Somehow the Newcomer knew that this Meant time had come for her to say What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day "Back on Earth, we wrote reports, Watched our children play in sports Worked our gardens, sang our songs Went to church and clipped coupons We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought Unlike you, great we're not" The tall man in the stovepipe hat Stood and said, "Don't talk like that! Look at your country, look and see You died for freedom, just like me" Then, before them all appeared a scene Of rubbled streets and twisted beams Death, destruction, smoke and dust And people working just 'cause they must Hauling ash, lifting stones, Knee deep in hell, but not alone "Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman Side by side helping their fellow man!" So said Martin, as he watched the scene "Even from nightmares, can be born a dream." Down below three firemen raised The colors high into ashen haze The soldiers above had seen it before On Iwo Jima back in '44 The man on sticks studied everything closely Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly "I see pain, I see tears, I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear." "You left behind husbands and wives Daughters and sons and so many lives are suffering now because of this wrong But look very closely. You're not really gone. All of those people, even those who've never met you All of their lives, they'll never forget you Don't you see what has happened? Don't you see what you've done? You've brought them together, together as one. With that the man in the stovepipe hat said "Take my hand," and from there he led three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven Author Unknown

*Slow Dance* (written by a terminally ill little girl) Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round? Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight? Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. Do you run through each day On the fly? When you ask How are you? Do you hear the reply? When the day is done Do you lie in your bed With the next hundred chores Running through your head? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow? And in your haste, Not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die Cause you never had time To call and say,"hi" You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. When you run so fast to get somewhere You miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift....Thrown away. Life is not a race. Do take it slower Hear the musicBefore the song is over. By: Kelsey Nicole Wellborn	HEROES AMONG US There are heroes among us, we see them each day They are battling crime, their lives in harm's way Our streets are much safer for the battles they fight The laws they uphold with courage and might There are heroes among us, we see them each day They are battling fires, their lives in harm's way Our homes are much safer for the battles they fight The flames are no match for their courage and might There are heroes among us, we see them each day They are battling freedom, their lives in harm's way Our country is safer for the battles they fight They strike down the enemy with courage and might There are heroes among us, we see them each day They battle to heal us when we get in harm's way Our bodies are stronger for the battles they fight They come to our aid with courage and might Such heroes among us, reaching out every day They help fight our battles in so many ways Let's pray for their safety in the battles they fight And honor these heroes of courage and might G. Loiacono
Fire Flights NYC Firefighter Once it was beautiful Now it is gone Destruction everywhere Far beyond Fire, smoke, debris Its all there Too many people in despair Friends, family, loved ones With no trace Hopefully now in Godâ€™s embrace Too many names for us to list There's only one wish Maybe a miracle, would it be true Not this day, for me or you September 11, 2001 Etched in all of freedoms rungs A ladder wrought with some 3,000 souls Look to the heavens for some solace Not on this day September 11 Richard O'Brien NYC Firefighter