Planes crashing into buildings
in pictures from a disaster film
before our actual eyes
On the small screen filling our homes
with scenes of terror so horrifying
they must be simulated
Unable to comprehend
how anyone willingly could commit
these brutal acts of terror
Yet these images of harsh reality
become etched into our memory
As we watch the destruction
of a way of life The laughter of my young daughter
pulls me from the barrage of images
and back into the reality of our day
Too young to know what has happened
yet sensing the anxiety in the air
Focusing on the exploration of her world
with a simple request of "Out"
Her small hand placed trustingly in mine
to guide her on way
A little voice of hope for the future

A nation, a world in tears
united in grief and loss
A tragedy so large
the loss so pervasive
the depth of emotions so great
no words can truly convey the mood

The sacrifice of so many lives
from so many countries
As we struggle to make some sense of the senseless
and look to answer the question
"Why?"
Yet many others saved
by acts of kindness from strangers
and in the mission thwarted
by last heroic acts of sacrifice and bravery

The eagle like the mighty phoenix
emerges from the ashes
bruised, but not beaten
stronger than ever
Out of the rubble of destruction
Seeds of hope
Stories of courage
Heroes emerge
Our country unites

To learn and to change
so that it never happens again
To keep the memories of the events and the people alive
but to also keep living
If not for ourselves
for our way of life
for our freedom
for our children