Our Darkest Day- My 9/11 Tribute

I have chosen to repost this each year so yes, you've seen pretty much this exact post on here before. *wink* I don't do this to get attention for my poem but just as my own small way of reminding myself and anyone who reads this to remember, learn, and honor our heroes not just from that day but everyday.

This is a poem I wrote eight years ago today as I watched the events of 9/11 unfold. I'm afraid it's a very raw poem and not very "professional" but it was my heart that day. My heart hurt for those who had so suddenly lost loved ones, hatred took root as I wondered what kind of monsters could be that sick and demented, and fear took hold as I worried if my children were now suddenly in danger.

"Our Darkest Day" was published a year later in the book "911: The Day America Cried". All proceeds benefit the Todd Beamer Foundation & I am proud to say I did not receive a single penny of any of it! :)

Our Darkest Day

Somewhere today a child cries

For a mother who’ll never come home

A wife waiting to hear from her mate

Sits shaking by the phone.

A sister thinks about words she said

And knows she can’t take back

A brother screams out ‘Why us God?!’

As dust settles from the attack

In streets usually alive with bustle

Now silence and sirens are all that’s heard

Families looking for signs of hope

Just waiting for a word.

In the shadows of a tragedy

A nation is mourning from sea to sea

Who could have done such a thing?

Who can this demon be?

So many questions left unanswered

So much pain left to be felt

But as a nation we swear to our dead

That justice will be dealt.

For they may have struck a horrible blow

But they failed to remember one thing

That even on our Darkest Day

The bells of Liberty ring.

Jolene Coiner

9/11/01
© Jolene Coiner Burzycki

And yes, this was back when I still felt a little patriotic so if you know me now just shoosh. *smile*