Commemoration

• Posted on Sue Shipe
• in International Peace Meditation
• on November 6, 2014
• No Comments.

“Commemoration”
September 11, 2023 —

On 9/11/01
3000 people died at the hands of terrorists
The world stood still
Shock waves shot around the globe
People lost all sense of security

Unimaginable pain was felt
Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters
Husbands and Wives, Infants and Elderly
Gasped a never-ending gasp.

Terrorism rallied and cheered
Democracy waited, and knew.
Both knew nothing would ever be the same.
Nothing.

We were all victims
Victims of faceless death
Raining equally on weak and strong
Showering the earth with ashes of flesh and mortar.

On 9/11/01
Love was blocked out like the sun
Darkness covered the earth
The pallor of suff’ring and death
Had levied a mighty blow.

Somehow, we knew
We knew we would rise again
We knew that death could not stop
Any who had ever known freedom.

Freedom was challenged
To rise again like the phoenix
From the ashes of destruction
To unparalleled levels of leadership.

Each of us knew in our heart
That the love of freedom was stronger
Than even the challenge of death.
We knew we’d never forget.

On 9/11/01
Our courage was strengthened
Our commitment to peace was renewed
We knew that if we divided, they’d conquer
We knew we must each carry forward.

For the sake of our children
Our children’s children, and again theirs
We would not succumb to hate and terror
We’d build up-not tear down.

On 9/11/23
We realize that my brother’s brother is mine
That my sister comes in many colors
But we’re the same
Beneath the skin.

We realize that we must unify for freedom
Out-number, out-rank, out-care
Those who would tear down our buildings
Our symbols, our children, our hearts.

On 9/11/23
We realize that united, we stand a chance
Of overcoming the hate that would kill us,
Of freeing the oppressed everywhere,
Of demonstrating love as stronger than fear.

We are united in service
We’ll share love and support ’round the world
We’re taking love of freedom to new levels
We’ll demonstrate that love is stronger than hate.

On 9/11/23
We’ll be grateful
That terror does not reside within us
That we will overcome terror, and fear of terror
Until only our unity prevails.
On “International Unity Day”

We commemorate all who’ve been lost to terror
Commemorate the bravery of men and women and children
Commemorate our friendships, lifetime allies,
As we celebrate our unified commitment to peace.

Sue Kidd Shipe, Ph.D.
Executive Director     copyright 8/06