I went to work that morning,
Just like I had always done,
Not knowing my life would change,
Thanks to an unknown someone,
I was at the Trade Towers,
To attend a meeting there,
There was some sort of trouble,
They told us, "Go down the stairs,"
That would be a long climb down,
At my age, I'm not that strong,
But in the air, hints of smoke,
Something's definately wrong,
What will my decision be?
It will be one hard to make,
Do I go or do I stay?
When I feel the building shake,
I don't think I can make it,
But I start the long way down,
Quiet panic's in the air,
Someone says, "How 'bout this town?"
I laugh, say, "I'm not from here,
I am from San Fransisco,
We don't have buildings this high,
How much more we've got to go?"
We descend, floor after floor,
My legs are feeling the strain,
Force myself to take a step,
I cannot believe the pain,
One more step--then another,
I wipe the sweat from my face,
No--that's it--I've got to rest,
I cannot keep up the pace,
Someone takes my hand in his,
It's a New York fireman,
"You all right?" he asks, concerned,
Asks my name, I tell him, "Anne,"
"Anne," he says, "We've got to go,
It's too dangerous to stay,
We're not too far from safety,
Can you go a little way?"
He takes my hand in his hands,
He says he won't leave my side,
Slowly, slowly, we descend,
And pretty soon, we're outside,
"Now, RUN," he says, turns away,
As far as you can," he calls,
I run...I run...turn around,
And I see the Tower fall....
Thanks to an unknown someone,
I somehow escaped--alive,
He stayed with me, to the end,
And thanks to him, I survived,
No, that's not exactly true ,
SomeOne Else was there that day,
The Good Lord helped me as well,
He sent an angel my way.

"Always remember and never forget."

(C) Karla Dorman, 2003