One Tuesday morning...
...We awakened to clear, blue autumn skies
...The last thing on our minds...death and dying
...That was before everything went awry
...That was before everyone began crying

One Tuesday morning...
...Towers stood tall, gracing the City's skies
...The last thing on our minds was them...not there
...That was before the terrorist's surprise
...That was before the flames and smoke filled the air

One Tuesday morning...
...We looked up, there was no fear in the skies
...The last thing on our minds was suicide
...That was before humans were forced to fly
...That was before we saw them falling and cried

One Tuesday morning...
...We thought it was safe to fly friendly skies
...The last thing on our minds was an attack
...That was before the horror paralyzed
...That was before airplanes and lives were hijacked

One Tuesday morning...
...Heroes weren't in comics or in the skies
...The last thing on our minds would be their loss
...That was before their ranks were brutalized
...That was before they paid the ultimate cost

One Tuesday morning...
...Changed everything...and I send prayers to the skies...
...Changed everything...I remember...start to cry...
...Changed everything...and I am still asking, "Why?"...
...Changed everything...and why did Joyce have to die???

"Always remember and never forget."

JOYCE ANN CARPENETO, 40, perished in
the attacks on the World Trade Center
on September 11, 2001.

(C) Karla Dorman, 2003.