copyright Publish America, 2003
WE WANDER
Long, unknown corridors
A mesmerizing maze, first lit, then shadowed
Walking past the things I’ve done
The people and places I’ve known
Sometimes, others are with me
We make a journey not even knowing
What it is we might see
We hear the sounds of the city
The rush of cars along an invisible street
The whispered humming of humanity
The click of phantom boots on concrete
We walk past the firehouse
We walk toward the towers, too
We begin a climb we’ve made many times before
And as we rise, we know it’s true
Transparent walls, shimmering windows
A ghostly staircase beneath our feet
Still we climb as high as before
Sometimes, I think I still feel the heat
Inside that tower
Inside our souls
We wander
Passing people rushing to escape
As we continue our steady climb
We would not be stopped; we would not fail
No matter what unimaginable things we find
These walls hold our secrets
And the secrets of all who were here
Even of all those who found a way to safety
We can still sense their lingering fear
Today, there is no one with me
I make my journey slowly
Ready for anything I might see
The sound of the city is solemn this day
No cars inhabit the street
No hurrying masses of humanity
My boots make no sound on the concrete
I walk past my firehouse
I give Ladder 12 its due
Those guys put it on the line every day
The same as me and you
I walk toward the towers
Yes, I still see them, too
I make that climb solo today
As the floors disappear behind me, I know it’s true
Transparent walls have become unreal
Windows have become mirrors and I see
A ghost building all around me
A mirage of floor beneath my feet
On the streets and in the homes of this city
Inside those planes and those towers, too
Inside my mind and yours
Inside our souls
We wander
FAR FROM HEAVEN
I stand back and watch with wonder
I feel envy stab like a knife
For all the true believers
So sure of an after-life
Each day I came to work
Right here at Engine Seven
I wonder if I am the only one
Who feels so far from heaven
Even as we say that prayer
As we sit down for dinner
I worry even if you don’t believe
You still may be a sinner
If those around me knew
How that trust in a god eludes me
Would they shun or ridicule
Would they try to help me see
Instead each day I come to work
Ladder 12, Engine Seven
And I ask myself if I’m the only one
Who feels so far from heaven
I’ve stepped into a church
And watched the ceremony with awe
So many people, just simply believing
My heart, it is stripped raw
For I want so desperately to believe
To join them all and pray
For all the souls lost to hate and anger
But every day I come to work
Right here at Engine Seven
And I wonder am I the only one
Who feels so far from heaven
Perhaps it is the trust that must be given
That makes it so very hard
For I learned so long ago
To stop it before it starts
I taught myself to keep my distance
To unlearn what had been told
When trust was shattered one awful summer night
And left my soul just ten years old
I wish someone could show me
I wish I could find the way
To begin along the path once more
That I was torn from that lonely day
Instead I wander into work each day
Badge 6633, Ladder 12, Engine Seven
And I ask myself am I the only one
Who feels so far from heaven
I wonder how many others are lost
And so very far away from heaven
ONCE WERE CHAMPIONS
We are a new battalion
Three hundred strong
Riding next to you
Where we still belong
We were fighters
Trying to protect and save, we fought
We shared the same mission that day
The same intentions, actions, thoughts
In a storm of confusion
We had one thing on our mind
To bring those trapped to safety
To seek what there was to find
Once were champions
In red, white, and blue
Still carrying the heart of a champion
Still leading the charge with you
Perhaps only in spirit
Coming through from beyond
Surviving on a faith I never knew I had
Forging a brand new bond
Three hundred brothers
Reaching out from beyond
Allowing faith to be enough
Strengthening this new bond
For we are a new battalion
Riding the engine right next to you
Finding the place where we belong
When you feel that flame
Threaten to grow into a wall
Let my faith give you strength
And know I am with you on that call
When you think that hand is going to slip
Slowly from your grasp
Think of that day we all stood tall
And my hand, too, will clasp
Together we will pull that life
Out of the mouth of that monster named fire
Together we will find the way out
And make death a liar
Once were champions
In red, white, and blue
Still carrying the heart of a champion
Still leading the charge with you
And maybe only in spirit
Finding the way through from beyond
Finding a faith I never knew I had
As we forge this brand new bond
We are a new battalion
Riding three hundred strong
Taking our place right next to you
Where we will always belong
Where once were champions