On that infamous day that we shan't forget
They slaughtered the innocent without regret
They planned and schemed to destroy and maim
As they packed the explosives aboard the plane

With rabid minds and thoughts to kill
To murder and mutilate the thought did thrill
To lay down their life and become a martyr
With terrorists ideals they thought were smarter

With innocuous lives they sacrificed in spite
As they proudly and fatally boarded their flight
The lives they'll shatter, the havoc they'll wreak
The innocent they’ll slaughter and kill the meek

The whole world watched transfixed again and again
As the towers they hit with commercial planes
Our hearts went out to the ones who were left
Devastated lives worlds shattered, bereft

Christian unity and spirits combined
To aid the bereaved who were left behind
A rallying cry that resounded and called
To the civilized world who watched appalled

Many heroes emerged from the destructed site
They sweated and toiled without respite
From this tragedy the human spirit soared
From all over the world the assistance poured

The brave and the frightened joined like steel
Emotions were high the determination real
They worked shoulder to shoulder until they dropped
Still more replaced them, they never stopped

A stark lesson was learnt that infamous day
That the instigators of death would not get away
We promised their lives would not be in vain
We’ll hunt them down until none remain

The unbridled hatred and vicious odium
From these killers that spout from their evil podium
So be forever watchful and take this lesson to heart
Make the message clear, never again you impart

Our time on this earth is as brief as a breath
So no more wasting the time we have left
For the ones we love can be blasted away
So cherish each from dawning of day.

By Patti Richards - 2001