We will never forget........


       A day most unholy, in my mind engraved,
           this day of days I would rather forget.
         Many family members and close friends,
        were missing, injured, but never to relent.

  Rode a train into Manhattan on weekends to see,
          an architectural masterpiece rising high.
       Spectator areas for the curious were roped,
      to watch in amazement as it kissed the sky.

   A marvel of beauty, an eighth wonder some said,
        state of the art, the best buildings ever made.
          Pidgeons made it their permanent home,
   while window washers worked in sun and shade.

     Who would have thought, how could we know,
    one day the twin towers would crumble and fall.
           First a loud roar, then billowing smoke,
      it was shown around the world for one and all.

There were some who cheered and in the  streets danced,
      played celebratory music and even sung songs.
         Here loved ones posted letters and pictures,
     flowers and prayers hoping to right the wrongs.

        Sitting here writing, my mind rewinds back,
       to that day of disbelief, again the tears flow.
   Countless phone calls, loved ones covered in filth,
        as if it were yesterday, guess I cannot let go.

          Begged, pleaded, stay home, do not leave,
       we have not reached everyone, still unaware.
              Hour is late but no sleeping this night,
     he had to go to work, help others, do his share.

       His fellow employees deep in grief and dispair,
      two airplanes down, who is alive, who is dead.
                A double shift he worked that day,
 glued to the television, left me in wonder and dread.

              He tried calling me, I tried calling him,
    no luck getting through, all lines were very busy.
         American Airlines had other plans for him,
   though I tried to remain calm, my mind in a tizzy.

         Spent most of the day trying to make calls,
 by early evening most family, friends accounted for.
      Finally he returned home and I could not let go,
 told him one missing, Michael Lynch, Ladder Four.

 Kept watching the television for a glimmer of hope,
  as they began pulling out bodies, bagpipes played.
     Hours turned to days, to weeks and to months,
still no word, nothing left to do, everyday we prayed.

     After many months we finally received the call,
       his body was found March 10, 2002 this day.
On television we watched and the bagpipes moaned,
he was buried March 15, 2002 on Robert's birthday.

 

 

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
Photography by:
Robert Palumbo
9/4/2007
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