The Day the Earth Stood Still

I was holidaying in the Far East when 9/11 took place. I watched the dreadful incident on the Hotel T.V. and was moved to write this poem as the second tower collapsed.

The day broke like many others, the Sun shone bright and strong.
Commuters made their way to work, a warm, pulsating throng.
At the end of every driveway, a fond wave and children’s cries,
For some, the last farewell like this, under clear American skies.
The people reached their work place, at desk, at shop, at plane,
Some of those would never make this daily trek again.
With stealth and evil purpose, men set out to do their worst,
Claiming Jihad and a Holy war, each gave a twisted curse,
And despoiled all Allah’s teachings, to the Koran, that he’d assigned.
That if you kill a single man, then you kill all mankind.
And so, they seized the flight decks, of aircraft numbered four,
And flew them into tower blocks, the Pentagon and more.
No care for killing innocents,who bore them no ill will,
Ignore the word of Mohammed, let’s see who we can kill.
This day shall live forever, in people’s memories,
No thoughts of understanding, can help nor yet appease,
The numbness of the senses, the heart wracked with aching pain,
Some knowing that their loved ones, would not be seen again.
Yet in the midst of all their grieving, the desperate empty loss,
Remember others felt the same watching Jesus on the cross.
And just as God reached out his hand, and stilled his son’s alarms,
As surely he’ll take the innocents and hold them in his arms.
Absorb their pain, absorb their grief, keep them safe right by his side,
And those that stay behind them, know t’was not in vain they died.
For if this world adheres, to the promises it’s made,
Then terrorism will be dead and nightmares then can fade.
The world will be a better place, no more suffering to pay,
No more innocents to give their lives, as they did this awful day.

Pollysyllabic. Singapore 11th September 2001