In Commemoration

So much has happened since that fateful day in September
The events spilling out so fast it is difficult to remember
There is engraved upon our national psychi and mind
A picture so fearful, so surreal, 'twill never be left behind

Fallen towers, once stretching high in the New York skyline
A huge tear in a newly built section of the Pentagon
A gaping hole and charred trees in a field of foiled terrorist design
From our national mental image shall never be gone

We commemorate the day with prayer for the families
who suffered such catastrophic loss
And for those who in national unity and pride
take to the enemy this shameful cross
That the price to be paid for such a heinous act
of barbarism
Will be so great it will deter those who would attempt
to bring about such national schism

Praying also for those who with such insane ardor
Would think to somehow right all perceived injustice
By being an irrational, hatefilled suicidal martyr
May they come to see what is truly righteous


In Commemoration (c)2002 Quentin Clingerman