Ode to 9/11

                                    Ode to 9/11

A nation mourned, its heart was struck,

The battle had just begun.

The attack hit home so unannounced,

Many perished before it was done.

Forever changed, the nation watched

As smoke billowed up to heaven.

That fateful day what once felt safe

Changed suddenly on 9/11.

The buildings burned and collapsed into rubble,

The sight so horrifying to see,

All eyes were turned to ponder the evil,

And what the purpose could be.

Amidst the confusion, concern, and strife,

The heroes began to arise,

Who placed others lives ahead of their own,

Kept compassion in front of their eyes.

The day was so fraught with shock and dismay,

Many families lost loved ones so dear.

The dust didn’t settle for quite a few months,

And the legacy left there was fear.

But then from the ashes, a new plant was born,

It was tempered by suffering and woe,

It was tested in the fires of affliction,

Emerged victorious over the foe,

For the unity and purpose of spirit,

Grabbed the nation by its very heart.

The tragedy wove the people together,

In a closeness that couldn’t tear them apart.

The lessons learned should be well remembered,

For the change we were all called to make.

May the caring and concern for one another,

Be the flower in this tragedy’s wake.

                           Frances Renaudin