Before your noble ascent, I waited to glimpse your towers
above the majestic blue - it was ’72 when I welcomed you

When you first stood firm in this nation of law,
the entire world was in awe, for it marveled at what it saw

In your heights was steeped a city’s essence
- her skyline graced by your awesome presence

I wept once you could no longer stand in marvelous gleam,
after barbarous treachery visited this land with its maniacal scheme

With your demise came one hundred forty score,
so, I greet each sunrise with this righteous roar:

My torch radiates with the blessings of liberty, but no longer in the shadows
of grand parallels of opportunity - shimmering glass that mirrored America’s
promise and vitality. Faithfully therefore, shall I preserve your memory,
for this tragedy revealed a nation’s resolve and a city’s resiliency.

Messengers of evil descended into your storied pillars to take life on
“nine-eleven”…to preserve life, a city’s angels - its finest and bravest,
ascended your stairways to heaven

From your ashes much good has come, no doubt inspired by the
intrepid brotherhood of some, who loyally searched for countless
a fallen hero, at a place solemnly known as Ground Zero

Those who commissioned this epic discord will not escape the fateful
lightning of His terrible swift sword
for a new generation of patriots has heard civilization’s call
to end this global scourge, for the common good of all

Watchful I will ever be in your absence, so that peril will be met with unfailing vigilance,
but most importantly, grief and sorrow will be consoled and embraced by tender remembrance

Honor too, the guardians who fell within pentagon walls bravely defending the
Republic’s shield, and the valiant souls who redefined courage above a distant keystone field,
offering their last full measure of devotion to spare a more grievous toll,
forever inspiring a nation with a new battle cry of freedom, “Let’s Roll”

O little boy who held your daddy’s fire helmet as his casket passed by,
it is okay for you to cry, but know that his spirit will never die,
for his proud Creator now holds him close on high

Celestial blue beams paid quiet tribute to precious lives lost
- magnificent lights for which there can be no measure or cost

Your towering grandeur dwarfs this silhouette no more, as I keep
my lamp lit above the golden door , but I wait for you once more.

 Julia Ward Howe, The Battle Hymn of the Republic

 Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address

 Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus