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

copyright Publish America, 2003

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COMING HOME 

It seemed like forever

Though it was only weeks

I was certain we would never find

The rescue that we seek

Huddled together

We were all as one

For we went together

Before it was done

And then one night

We began to hear

The distinct noise of digging

And disappearance of fear

They found us together

In the still of the night

And one by one they carried us

Up to the light

Back to the real world

If only to be carried away

But at least we were no longer lost

In the tainted ground we would not stay

And there are those who were not so lucky

Those who still reside in a frozen hell

Maybe one day they will find them too

We all have a story that no one will tell

For we could not find peace

In that desecrated place

Our spirits longed to be rescued

To be released from a timeless space

To finally be brought home

And at last be laid to rest

All my brothers in this battle

New York’s true and finest

I’m coming home

At last I’m coming back

To find some peace and comfort

To finally get this on the right track

To my parents, my brothers and sisters

My friends and all my brothers in eternity, too

It’s good to be home

With no battle to win or lose

I’m coming home at last

To join those who went with me

And those we tried to save

In a glorious place we’ll be

Where there is no terror or hatred

No violence, no death, no pain

Where all is calm and peaceful

Nothing left to lose or gain

I’m coming home to someone’s heaven

Someone’s shining, peaceful place

Where I can watch over you all properly

And I wish you could see my face

For the hurting and suffering is over now

So please don’t cry for me

I’m finally at home now

And you’ll know where I will be

Free and whole and myself again

If you close your eyes, you will see

 

 

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON 

My dad went to work

Like any other day

But he still hasn’t come home

And I’m afraid he won’t find his way

So I’ll leave the light on for you, dad

Bright enough for you to see

When you see that light

You’ll find your way home to me

My dad went out to work one morning

To fight fires like every other day

But he still hasn’t come home

And I’m afraid he’s lost his way

So, I’ll leave the light on for you, dad

I’ll leave it on all day and night

And I’ll keep on waiting

When I see you coming, everything will be all right

Have you seen my dad

He still hasn’t come home

And I know my mom is afraid

And I feel so alone

If you see my dad

Will you tell him I’m waiting right here

Will you make sure he knows the way

And tell me if he’s near

Maybe he’s just lost in the smoke and dust

Maybe he can’t find his way

If you see my dad

Will you tell him I’m right here waiting, and right here I will stay

No matter how long the night lasts

No matter what anyone else might say

I know if he can, he’ll come back home

He’d do anything to find the way

And I’m leaving the light on, dad

Burning through the night

And I know that you will make it

If you can only find my light

I’m still waiting

And sometimes I pray when I’m alone

But I’m starting to think

My dad will never find his way home

If you can see my light, dad

Just follow the way

And come back home to me and mom

So everything will be okay

But I’m getting very afraid

And I hear my mom cry when she’s alone

And I’m waiting on you, dad

Waiting for you to come back home

If you see my dad

Tell him I’m waiting right here

Waiting and hoping

Someday he will appear

And I’ll leave the light on

In case he’s alone

Here I sit still waiting

But my dad still hasn’t come home