“They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield.”
―Philip Freneau
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
343 - The Fallen
To the 343 Heroes from the Fire Department of New York who made the ultimate sacrifice and saved thousands of lives 15 years ago on September 11, 2001.
After great pain
ReplyDeleteA formal feeling comes
The nerves sit ceremonious –– like tombs.
The stiff heart questions
Was it He that bore ––
And yesterday –– or centuries before?
The feet mechanical go round ––
A wooden way
Of ground or air or ought.
Regardless grown ––
A quartz contentment lie a stone.
This is the hour of lead.
Remembered –– if outlived ––
As freezing persons recollect the snow.
First chill ––
Then stupor ––
Then –– the letting go.
~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
He who turns and runs away
ReplyDeleteLive to fight another day.
~ Solomon Grundowitz