Poems From "Somebody's Hero: Remembering 9-11-01"

copyright Publish America, 2003

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DO YOU REMEMBER 

Do you think of me

Do you remember my face

Do you go through my things

Do you leave me a place

Will there come a time

When memory of me will fade

 When I become just a shadow

My life just part of the cost to be paid

Do you remember me

As you go on with your life

Do you think of me

When day turns to night

When the safety of sunlight

Is out of your reach

Do you remember my face

When you listen to them preach

Am I just part of a lesson to be learned

Or am I flesh and blood to you

As real as the day the world burned

When you sit at the table

Do you set a place for me

Or am I becoming just a distant memory

Do you remember my face

Is it still fresh in your mind

Or do you struggle

To keep me or leave me behind

Do you remember my brothers

And the price that we paid

Did they just cover us over

And think us gone, though our souls stayed

Do you think of me

When you sit by an empty seat

Do you long to say farewell

Until again we meet

Do you remember my face

When a smile touches your lips

For though I put smiles there too

We now pass like two ships

Me in this world

And all that it holds

Do you know that I still shiver

Whenever I feel the cold

And I wonder if I was the one left behind

Or if it was me leaving you

I only know I want to remember

And I want you to remember too

Do you think of me

Every once in a while

Not every second of every day

Not every inch of every mile

Just a thought here or there

I just want to be a small part

Of all the things you hold dear

And keep safe in your heart

 

 

FALLEN 

Surrounded by flames and chaos

I tried desperately to make it out

But I became trapped, caught in the falling world

And my heart filled with fear and doubt

Everything was going mad around me

I was sure I was alone

I didn’t know you were still with me

Near, but so far, too far to make it home

When I found the strength to make the call

I expected silence, I expected no one

Instead I heard an unfamiliar voice

And you knew what had to be done

All I wanted was to be out of there

And not die alone in this hell

And the waiting seemed like forever

Perhaps it was only a few minutes, I cannot really tell

But there you were in the smoke and gloom, coming back to get me

To try to save me as we saved the others

You saw what only a brother could see

A life in danger, someone in need

Duty to be done

And no medals or marching bands

Nothing to be won

Just simple bravery and honor

That we call upon every day

Along with fear and doubt

But somehow we find a way

And I’m sorry it had to end like this

We deserved a better fate

But still you stayed at my side

Still you promised me you’d wait

And maybe it’s small comfort

But at least it’s something

Knowing I did not die alone

I pray it wasn’t all for nothing

None of us will be going home

For we give our lives

Without hesitation, not just a job to do

With the belief that saving someone is worth it

Even if of many, we can only save a few

I never imagined I’d be where I am

On the other side of that line

A soul in need of rescue

And this time the need was mine

Maybe it was hopeless, no way out

No matter, still you came

You stayed with me until the very end

And I didn’t even know your name

 I never had the chance to thank you

To say how much it meant

That I did not have to go alone

And, so, together we went

And though we didn’t know each other

Somehow I feel I know you well

For you came back when you did not have to

So I would not die alone in this hell