A Bellicose Specter (Revised)

(Warring Ghost)

By: Joseph T. Manzo

America—land of freedom where no country stands as tall,

Ever vigilant, but not immune from those who seek her fall.

While embracing life and work in the American way,

Her towns and cities are at peace at the start of the day.

New York City is rising in the morning light,

Growing with the human part of God’s might.

The Twin Towers an engineer’s dream of steel and stone

                Filled with working people—Americans not coming home.

Living on the world stage from God’s spoken might,

                Not knowing death’s plan, and who will win the fight.

Police and firemen, guardians on American soil,

                A cities’ living shield protecting her from turmoil.  

This morning’s good-byes with life glowing bright,

                Will haunt loved ones wishing to hold them tonight.

The specter of death they battled many times in the past,

              Will demand that today’s valor will be their last.

Near our Nation’s Capital waiting for the call day or night,

               Stands America’s five-sided symbol of power and might.

The best Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines,

A just nation’s God-guided justice machine.

Many times on the terrorist slate,

They responded with justice not hate.

This day’s attack will force peace to give way,

               As too many folded flags were earned today.

People meeting destiny this Tuesday in September,

From Boston to California, four flights to remember.      

Travelers starting out another day of their lives’ mystery,

Unaware fate brings them an unwanted role in history.

Terrorists traveling on board with malevolence to stage,

Violently taking control with suicidal rage.

Giving one’s life during war may bring a heaven-free stay,

Giving one’s life to start war may not be judged that way.

Misguided terrorists look at America with hate and such,

Their fools’ mindset that Americans don’t amount to much.

Televised belligerence is culminating into a spiral of hate.

Bellicose thoughts are spreading virally among America’s great.

They attacked America—the world’s Freedom Shores!

All that seemed so important before won’t be anymore.

On nine-one-one-zero-one there will be peace no more,

               A bellicose specter came to America’s shores.

Final copy-October 21, 2001 ©

Revised-September 8, 2008