9/11 Remembered

9/11 Remembered

We hold up to the light of day
this horrific event,
as images branded into our memories return:
planes inserted into skyscrapers,
black billowing smoke,
collapsing buildings,
wide-eyed people, running in terror.

Feelings of injustice and anger unattended,
escalated into hate and vengeance,
careened out of control,
then exploded into violence and destruction,
changing the world forever,
as we knew it.

Suffering transformed into selfless service
as one act of bravery followed another.
Generosity and good will prevailed.

Left alone at ground zero
we look at the world with new eyes.
facing the truth with clarity and courage.

Holding hands,
we step forward to our highest calling,
that of forgiveness;
and work together to
build a new world
bringing peace and justice to each person.

On this sacred, scarred ground
stand the footprints of these twin towers,
spilling over with tears of grief
as they flow endlessly into the void.
We linger at the names of
fallen heroes and innocents alike,
etched in our hearts forever; remembering,
while dreaming of a better world.