(Getty)
September 11, 2001 is a day worth remembering. Thousands of Americans died in a terrorist attack on our nation and it’s a day to honor their lives. It’s also a day to show that we will never forget the horrific events that occurred on 9/11. Read on for quotes and poems to pay tribute to the day as well as those affected by it.
Silence (over Manhattan)
by Paula Bardell
A black September shadow cloaks the dawn,
The City’s once white teeth now rotting stumps,
Midst choking dusty embers ether-borne,
Its shrunken soundless heart now barely pumps.
Infernos upon retribution rise,
Fanaticism maddening the flames,
Its once imposing deities abscise,
As the faceless antagonist proclaims:
A consummation sweet but unfulfilled,
A penetrative burst without regret,
A zealous passion never to be stilled,
An earthly instinct powerful, and yet –
This bitter loathing blowing from the East,
Curtailed but could not kill the feisty beast.
The Eleventh Of September
Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002
The Poetic Plumber www.thepoeticplumber.com
We mourn their loss this day this year
Those now with God, no danger near
So many loved ones left do stand
Confronting loss throughout our land
My heart goes out to those who do
No one can fathom what they view
I firmly pray for peace of mind
Dear God please help each one to find
And to our soldiers now at war
God guide above, at sea, on shore
They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout
The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty
One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy
Absolutely – We’ll Remember
The Eleventh – Of September
What we learned on September 11 is that the unthinkable is now thinkable in the world.
– John Ashcroft
List of “Don’t Forgets” and “Remembers”
We were eight.
Before September 11th, we would wake up with a list of “Don’t Forgets”
Don’t forget to wash your face
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Don’t forget to do your homework
Don’t forget to wear your jacket
Don’t forget to clean your room
Don’t forget to take a bath
After September 11th, we wake up with a list of “Remembers”
Remember to greet the sun each morning
Remember to enjoy every meal
Remember to thank your parents for their hard work
Remember to honor those who keep you safe
Remember to value each person you meet
Remember to respect other’s beliefs
Now we are nine.
September 11 awoke us to the threat of terrorism. It was forever bookmarked in our history as the day when life as Americans knew it, changed forever.
– Randy Forbes
We’re Still Standing
by Hannah Schoechert, 7th grade student
Those twin towers
Standing tall with pride,
Fell with grieving hearts.
Stunned, America cried.
But we’re still standing.
Bin Laden tried
To crush our land,
But we stood our ground
With our flag in hand.
And we’re still standing.
Red for valor
And the blood that fell.
White for purity
Our heroes tell.
Blue for the justice
That will be done,
Proving once more
These colors don’t run.
And we’re still standing.
September 11 impressed upon us that life is a precious gift. Every life has a purpose. And I think we all have a duty to devote at least a small portion of our daily lives to ensuring that neither America nor the world ever forgets September 11.
– Bill Frist
I stare in total disbelief,
heart torn with instant grief.
Plumes of black smoke fill the air,
marking a building no longer there.
I close my eyes, I want to pray,
but my mind doesn’t know what to say.
Much like Pearl harbor, so many years ago,
so many gone with one fatal blow.
There are no words to explain,
there are no words to ease the pain.
To those who gave their lives,
Mothers, Fathers, Husbands and Wives,
to all who’s lives today did cease,
may your soul find instant peace.
We will honor you and the life you gave,
as a Patriot of “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”
Those whose lives were lost on September 11 will remain in our thoughts and prayers forever.
– Vito Fossella
The Day The Towers Fell
Author Unknown
Submitted by AlphaArs
A sad day for America
as rejoicing rang from hell
awakening a mighty giant
the day the towers fell.
Our hearts were saddened
as we watched this vicious act unfold
as innocence met a fiery death
and seeds of war were sowed.
Shouts rang out from the middle east
that Allah has done his good
but no God joys in faultless deaths
though certain cowards could.
America just sort of glides along
but don’t step on her toes
for her belief in right and justice
will stomp out freedoms foes.
