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A poem in memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01.

IMPACT
by Diane Compagno aka Marie Cloud 9/19/01

On the planes:

It started out a normal day
Some boarded planes without dismay
No thoughts of the horror that lie ahead
They buckle up and lay back their head

God only knows the terror they felt
When knives were pulled and threats were dealt
Terrorists took over the flight
Turned the planes around and soon in sight

New York City and the World Trade Towers
Unbelievable fear in the following hours
The Pentagon was next on their list
The White House may have been a miss

A fourth plane on an unknown path
Met with some heroes and their wrath
Their determination met with a fight
These brave men gave up their lives to stop this flight

In the towers:

That fateful day was like any other
Husbands kissed their wives and kids kissed their mothers
Off to their jobs, they never knew
The untold terror that would ensue

Morning coffee, breakfast rolls begin the day
Offices fill in the normal way
Just as employees settle in
The evil doers prepare their sin

A sudden impact the buildings swayed
Some are in shock and others afraid
Smoke and flames destroy some floors
Other people search for exit doors

Bravery and heroes abound
Some don’t even know the dangers all around
From the streets below people watch in disbelief
Eyes moving from one tragedy to the next, there is no relief

Emergency teams respond with such speed
No thought of their own safety only of those in need
Workers hold on to each other and try to get out
Others look everywhere but can’t find a route

Many call their loved ones to say that they care
Many others know that they will die there
Some watch as people jump to their deaths
Sobbing and screaming crowds now hold their breath

Just when they think it will soon all be over
The buildings collapse and all run for cover
Concrete turns to ash and a mountain of dust
that moves through the streets in one big gust

Everything now covered in gray ash
So very much destroyed in a flash
From hate so deep and evil so bold
Stories emerge and some will never be told

Emergency workers, EMS, and cops
Rescue workers, medical workers pull out all the stops
Piles of rubble where buildings once stood
Hit this country like little else could

Once again prayer is mentioned on the air
No one commented and no one seemed to care
Lives have been forever altered
But now our determination will not falter

To honor those who lost their lives
And for those who did survive
We now feel close and want to be there
To let you know how much we care

We fly the flag and pray for peace
In hopes that terrorists will cease
We may have war and some may die
But our resolve we will not deny