poems

You Rushed In
I wonder who you are, you who raced to the World Trade Center. Why did you fight the surghing crowds, to go inside a building others prayed to exit?

What gene did you possess that enabled you to hurry to possible death while thousands of your fellow Americans fought to escape that same fate?

How can mere training account for men and women racing upstairs, towards a raging inferno, thousands of feet in the sky, all the while understanding that they may have to keep right on going, past the inferno, past the highest floor, on to eternity?

Who are you?

And you, down there on the street, what caused you to stay there, willing the throngs of humanity away from the very spot you stand, below a building angrily spitting balls of fire in all directions?

Why didn't you leave when you had the chance? How can duty to a job account for such determination to save lives, knowing that it may cost you yours?

Who are you?

What about you, who had no job duties, no training? You who we may never know about. You stopped to help your fallen comrades, not knowing what that act might cost you.

You took charge in the midst of chaos, calling out to stay calm, and hurry towards the exits. You turned back at the last minute to help someone slow, hysterical or injured.

You stopped in your wild race for freedom to help the helpless that had fallen, unable to make it without you.

Who are you, who rushed to your death, you who stood your post while death rained down on you from the sky, you who might have made it out but chose to slow your own progress to speed someone else's?

You are firefighters, police officers, and average citizens. No amount of training, duty or responsibility enabled you to do what you did. It was in your spirit, your genes, your very DNA, to make the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

They say that fools rush in where angels fear to tread. There were no fools there that day. There were only heroes, and we will not forget what you did.

I Believe In America
I believe.

I believe in firefighters that climb 50 filights of
stairs to help people they never met.
I believe in people who give their lives crashing an
airplane to save the lives of people they never met.
I believe in people who give blood, money, and supplies to aide people they've never met.

I believe in America.

I believe in a country that stands strong and proud,
even in the face of grief and tragedy.
I believe in a country that not only allows but
encourages and values diversity.
I believe in a country that does not think that human
suffering is "someone else's problem".

I believe in America.

I believe in a country that values freedom so highly that rather than inhibit an individuals rights, tragic
events can sometimes occur.
I believe in a country that does not allow innocent people to suffer at the hands of a madman.
I believe in a country that is willing to risk it's
own lives and safety to protect and aide innocent people.

I believe in America.

I believe in a country that does not lash out quickly or rashly in revenge and retaliation.
I believe in a country that will defend itself with appropriate means.
I believe in a country whose people will rise to any challenge, and will stand up and fight boldly and proudly against its aggressors.

I believe in America.

"The cowardly criminal acts that have robbed people of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in Washington and New York of 11 September 2001 are seared into our minds and hearts forever. We demand of the leaders of the free world, freedom from terrorism for all. Don not rest until it is done. Do not rest until there is no safe place in the world for such an attack against freedom. Be relentless, be courageous, you have our support."