Below
is a collection of poems that I have collected regarding September
11, 2001. I regard them powerful poems, because they touched my
heart. I am very proud to say that some are from teenagers across
the country. I have obtained permission for most of these poems
from the original author. Please DO NOT remove these poems from
this page. If you would like to use the poem for something please
contact them. If there is no email address, it means they have granted
me permission only. Please respect their wishes and leave the poems
where they are.
"Terrorist
attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings but they
cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel
but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve....we are the
brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no
one will keep that light from shining. " - President George
W. Bush
Smoked
Stained Tear Drops
Crystal
visions were wisked away,
one silent moment when we held our breaths,
hearing the news, as my thoughts were consumed with sadness,
my heart burned for a reason I was yet to know,
the red, white and blue wipes away the
smoke stained tear-drops,
our throats dry from crying, our eyes red and weak,
yet when we wake in the 'morn, we are still America,
and through smoke stained tear-drops,
we will stand....again...
I
am broken
I am tired
Until I feel the wings
Of my angel
Around me.
My
angel
Helps me rise
From the ashes
The rubble
Of today.
I
remember
The days before.
I've died
Ten thousand
Times over.
I
watch
Over and over
The plane.
And the towers.
They will rise again.
My
angel
Cannot turn back
The time.
My angel.
Of eternal life.
This poem is dedicated to the memory of Lynn Goodchild of Attleboro,
Massachusetts and to Shawn Nassaney, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island,
her future husband. They were both on the United Airlines flight
175, which crashed into the second WTC building. It is also dedicated
to all of those she left behind. Her memory will live on.
~Allison, age 14
The
following poems are from a family who lost their husband and father.
They wrote some poems they felt would be of help to anyone who lost
a loved one. They have given me consent to use their poems on this
page. It started when I asked if I could post the poem below written
by Monica. It is one of the most beautiful poems I have read and
it never fails to bring a tear to my eye. And I have graciously
received three more poems by both her mother and brother. They have
asked that these poems be left here on this page. Please respect
their wishes.
DADDY,
IT'S ME
"Daddy,
It's me"
"I baked a cake and mommy is watching TV"
"Today is your one year birthday"
"And I know why you had to go away"
"Mommy said you didn't die"
"And that it's ok for us to cry"
I hugged her and said, "I understand"
"He went Home to God in the Promiseland"
I said, "Today isn't a sad one"
"His body may be gone, but his love still lives on"
I'll always remember when I was seven
That my daddy didn't die, he just went Home to Heaven
Though my heart is torn
Daddy had only been reborn
I told my mommy I wanted to call daddy
I wanted to tell him not to worry about me
So, she gave me the phone and said that was fine
I picked up the receiver and disconnected the phone line
I said, "Hello daddy, it's me."
"Is Heaven what you thought it would be?"
I can hear in my head
The words he had said
He told me, "All that and more, my sweetie!"
"I miss you and I love you, Rob, and mommy"
"I'm sorry I couldn't stay"
"I'm sorry I had to go away"
"I'm always with you even though we're now apart"
"Anytime you need me, speak right from your heart"
I told my daddy knowing he could hear this,
"I love you, too, daddy, here's a big kiss"
I told him, "I made a birthday cake for you"
"I made chocolate cake with lot's of frosting on it, too"
"I made it just the way you always like"
"And, daddy, thank you for my birthday bike"
"Daddy, I know you have lots to do"
"I just wanted to call to say I love you"
"Mommy, Rob and I send hugs and kisses"
"Your friends stopped by to pay their good wishes"
"They said if I spoke to you, to send you a special hello"
"Take care of yourself, we'll be fine, I'm sorry, but I have
to go"
"I'll call you again if I'm feeling down"
I could almost hear him say to me, "Sweetie, I'll always be
around"
So, I hung up the phone and plugged back in the line
Mommy, Rob and I ate the cake and had a good time
I will make two cakes each year
One for his birthday up there and one for his birthday down here
Now my daddy wasn't anything special to the world, but he was everything
to me
Not a day went by that he didn't always make me happy
He didn't build bridges or become the President or become rich like
some people dream of
But, in my eyes, he gave me the world by leaving me his legacy of
love
~
Monica - Age 12 She has asked that this poem NOT be put on any
other page. Please respect her wishes. The picture below is her
favorite picture. It is of her and her daddy and was taken on their
last vacation together.
THE
IMAGES EMBEDDED IN YOUR MIND
How
do I begin with this? What on earth can I possibly say?
How can anyone help to take the ache and pain of what you witnessed
that day away?
America watched what happened unfold on the television set
We sat there in disbelief and shock at something that America can
never, ever forget
We cannot begin to comprehend what those of you at Ground Zero are
going through
How in the name of all that is good can we possibly help you?
We know that you are hurting and will be as time goes by
Please know you'll have billions of us hugging you as you cry
What is it that you need that we as Americans can give?
Just ask us and it's yours no matter where we live
Our money and our thank you's just don't seem to be enough
America knows you've experienced it all firsthand and the road ahead
of you is going to be tough
The things you've seen we know even time can never erase
We want to help you through this though we may never meet face to
face
Please know that we all are wishing you well in the days and years
ahead
Please know that our compassion of what you are going through is
in these words you've read
Yes, America is grateful, for all that you have already done, and
will forever be
You are our unsung HEROES and gave yourselves so unselfishly
Your dedication and your drive showed through time and again
At your determination to save those lives of strangers and some
friends
People all over the world today stand together now as one
This is what our enemies will see when all is said and done
So America is asking you how can we ease your pain and suffering?
How can we be of help besides giving you our understanding?
There are no words to express how giving yourself so freely was
so kind
America is asking you, how can we help ease the pain of the images
embedded in your mind?
Written
By Elizabeth
(Monica's Mom)
For all our Heroes who gave their all
September 22, 2001
JUST
TAKE MY HAND
September
11, 2001
A day we all wish could be undone
The day America came under attack
The day we all had to take a step back
What we saw in the news we thought was a bad joke
We couldn't believe all that fire and smoke
So many people came rushing out
There was screaming and so much chaos about
The Towers were shaking and started to fall
People still in the building trying hard to place a call
Reaching out to loved ones for that last "I love you"
Frantic at not knowing what they should do
Running here and there
Very much aware
Their life on earth was coming to an end
It was time to say good-bye to their coworker's and friends
Some people make it out and some were left inside
Some had made it to safety and so many others had died
Out on the street people look up at the sky
They see two people ready to jump and everyone starts to cry
You can see the fear in their face
And in one quick moment a smile takes it's place
You could almost hear what was said
What was going through their head
I bet it went something like this
"I know you're scared, my love, I could sure use a kiss"
"I love you and I understand"
"I am too, now let's go Home, my darling, please take my hand"
By
Robert (Monica's Brother)
Age 17
September 14, 2001
DOG
MONUMENT
(A
Tribute poem to all Law Enforcement and Rescue Canines)
Many
thank you's go out to rescuer's, but what about the unsung HEROES
that cannot speak?
Are we remembering to give them our thanks for what they've done
these past two weeks?
I'm speaking of the K9's and the Search and Rescue dogs who so valiantly
continue on
No matter how tired, no matter how hungry, just dedicated to searching
for those who are gone
They search for the missing and for the bodies of those no longer
alive
To bring peace to those loved ones who were left behind
The not knowing is what stops you from being able to see the future
ahead
It's those canines that bring comfort to the families by bringing
closure to their dread
The knowing is better than the not knowing at all
Some 4 legged friends responded quickly to their duty and some answered
their last call
This Nation is suffering at this atrocity that was just so insane
For some, it seems, time is only adding to their pain
You may be just a dog, a pet to some, in fact, but you are much
more than that to your fellow buddies
You're their partner, protector, their family and in losing you
they've lost part of their identity
Your fellow canines who are gone and those of you who remain
Will see how we're a bit different, how we are forever changed
It's said all dogs go to Heaven and I believe this to be true
For God saves a special place for all brave dogs who were so loved
by me and you
These are more than just canine dogs, they are our unsung HEROES,
too
They would lay down their life in an instant if it meant saving
you
They're always ready to serve and defend
They'll protect your life till the bitter end
Some sniff for people, some sniff for bombs and drugs
And all they ask in return from us is just some loving hugs
Though they may not be human beings
Their courage shines through in their good deeds we've seen
Whenever their handlers needed them, they somehow seemed to understand
They'd come up to their master and place their paw in their hand
A handler and his canine partner shares a bonding of moments that
gets stronger with each call
Separately they may stumble and fall, but together they can get
through it all
I know we appreciate them and it hurts when a loved one dies
For what happened to America, took us all by surprise!
These canines are still searching for those missing, day and night
Weary, exhausted, determined, unwavering in their plight
When the unforeseen happens, life's plans start to go awry
All you can feel is pain, all you can do is cry
When you watch and mourn as your loved one is now put to rest in
that hole
You realize then that even time will not replace what's been lost
from your soul
What their death took from you, you can never get back
That's why this feels so much like a personal attack
We grieve for the pain their death left in our heart
We struggle to make sense at our world now torn apart
The world has cried a thousand oceans and will cry a thousand more
We cry for your fellow brother's and sister's and for all who didn't
make it out that door
Though we did not know your fellow canines please realize that the
world knows they're all Heaven sent
America should also pay Tribute to you all by creating a dog monument
Written
By Elizabeth (Monica's
Mom)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
September 22, 2001
ONE
As
the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the
inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.
We
are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people
We
are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America. (I don't remember where I got this from, so if
you wrote it, please let me know so I can give you the proper credit)
NOW
that the President has called us to prayer.....
NOW
that Congress has called us to prayer.....
NOW
that our Governor has called us to prayer....
NOW
that the city Mayor has called us to prayer....
NOW
that the "liberal" media and most other branches of
our American society have called us to prayer.....
AND
NOW that our churches are assembling in special prayer....
"Honorable"
Justices of the Supreme Court, I have only one question.. Would it be O.K. to pray in our schools........??
An
American
Citizen & Christian
(received
through an email)
Strength
and Courage
It
takes strength to be certain,
It takes courage to have doubts.
It
takes strength to fit in,
It takes courage to stand out.
It
takes strength to share a friend's pain,
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It
takes strength to hide your own pain,
It takes courage to show it and deal with it.
It
takes strength to stand guard,
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It
takes strength to conquer,
It takes courage to surrender.
It
takes strength to endure abuses,
It takes courage to stop them.
It
takes strength to stand alone,
It takes courage to lean on a friend.
It
takes strength to love,
It takes courage to be loved.
It
takes strength to survive,
It takes courage to live.
May
you find strength and courage
in everything you do,
And may your life be filled with
Friendship and Love!
~
Unknown ~
We
Will Stand Tall
Look
in our eyes,
What do you see?
Something you didn't expect
you thought our eyes would hold chaos,
but instead our pride is held high
not only in our eyes
in our actions,
in our words,
in our drawings,
and in our contributions
The money we gave 2 the victims,
the time we put in cleaning up New York,
The blood lost from those killed & hurt,
we restored greater with ours
When crisis hits America
we do not fall like our buildings,
We rise above them.
No matter how great the tragedy,
no matter how bad the situation
We
Will Stand Tall! ~Blythe Woods
Daylight
Daylight protruding above her
as she flaunts her glory
People gather around her beauty
as she tells her story
Sunlight
interrupted beside her
as her power is taken
People tremble at the sight of her
as her earth is shaken
Light
of war conquering her
as she meets the ground
People taken down with her
as they tense at the sound
Explosive
light occupying her sky
as brave souls watch in fear
People scurrying from her death
as every eye obtains a tear
Moonlight
promising unity of all
as the nation grieves her loss
People build a road of loyalty to her
as only her children cross
Daylight
embracing the mournful sky
as it tells her story
People gather around her destruction
as they recall her glory
~Jamee,
Age 15
Turning
To God
We
go by
day after day
some say
they forgot to pray.
But why is it
when something bad happens
we turn to GOD and pray
Why can't America
day after day
not forget to pray
so lets look to GOD
and all HIS power
and please
lets remember to pray
~Corey, Age 15
From
the mind of a child
Goodbye daddy
see you tonight
I'm off to school
I love you.
They're
calling our names
they're bringing us in one by one
our principal hugs me
it'll be okay hun
She
looks so sad
and yet so scared
I hear them say
not many were spared
I'm
looking around
everyone so quiet
they're looking at me
what have I done
They
tell me mom
is on her way
they're sending me home
for the rest of the day
What
did I do wrong
am I in trouble
I hear them mention
lost in the rubble
None
of this makes
sense to me
I'll wait for mom
and then I'll see
So
strange is the look
thats in her eyes
like that of a baby
after it cries
Yet
something else
is there as well
I'm not supposed to
say this
but she looks like hell.
her
arms are around me
her cheeks are wet
her sobbing is in my ear
I think now what I saw was fear
We
have to go now
we have to go home
we must be there in case
daddy tries to phone
Hours
went by
and not a call was to be had
I figured out now
it was all so bad
Hey
mom its time
for daddy to arrive
I looked at the clock
its half past five
He
won't be home
tonight my dear
he won't be home
again I fear
Days
have gone by
and still no word
daddy is gone
or so I've heard
What
do they mean
he's gone to heaven
he didn't say he was leaving
on September 11
He
wouldn't leave
without telling us why
cause he would know
that would make me cry
So
I think I'll just sit here
and wait til he's here
I'll wait and wait
even a year
you
can't tell me
my daddy is gone
I don't believe you
your wrong
He
wouldn't leave me
without saying goodbye
He wouldn't leave without
telling me why
Stop
saying my daddy
has gone to heaven
stop saying he left
on September 11
I
would like to take this chance as a United States Marine
To make my thanks to one and all
I watched these events unfold
I feel as if I let you down
unable to defend
I was sworn to protect
against foreign and domestic
all foes anywhere
I was unable to stop what happened
I have cried
been angered
but this I swear to you I am willing to fight
and die for you
these cowards may hide
my patience will prevail
I will not let you down again
My promise to you
USMC
~Charles
Shall
we dance with the devil,
I
think we are,
as terror rains from near and far.
As
we dance do you think we'll see
The thing called Insanity,
This thing that rests in you and me.
So
shall we dance with the devil once more,
Shall we call to even the score
Shall we bomb them all to nevermore.
The
more I look, the more I see,
The maddness that is Insanity,
This thing that rests in you and me.
In
horrific sights that still abound,
Terror rains,and tragety's found,
And we look at insanity from all around.
So
shall we dance with this devil yet again,
And loose more people that we call friend,
In this insanity that has no end.
They
teach their children to hate,
So let's teach our's to love,
And let them pray to God above.
They
teach their children to kill,
In this insanity that breeds ill will,
Where children are taught to mame and kill.
So
let us give our's something more,
In this world that has changed forever more.
Teach them love and even the score!
So
let's give them love and Gods grace,
So they can stand as sentinals for the human race.
Let's
give them justice, so that they can see
We can defeat insanity.
When
tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears
for me
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
While
thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too
But
when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love
But
when I walked through heaven's gates I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me
>From His great golden throne
He said "This is eternity
And all I've promised you"
I
promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past
So
when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart
This moment of silence message is dedicated to all the thousands
of
innocent people that died in the horrible incident that took place
on
Tuesday September 11, 2001.
Please
leave a message. It can be a message to the family, friends, and
victims, or just let everyone know your feelings about what has
happened.
