The
Names Go On...
September 11, 2002
Joyce
A. O. Lee
Let it be written on stone in blood that these
lives were not lost in vain. As the solemn pall of names continues
to be read, let it be known, we Americans are not seekers of war
and death. We are proud protectors of the Innocents. The Innocents
of any land. And the names go on...
Don't attack us with your sticks and stones
and bombs, your illogical reasoning that God is with you. God
was brought to tears. What is this man, given in moments of ecstacy,
that he will casually render such inhumane acts upon his brothers
in the name of faith. And the names go on...
What other evils do you contemplate? How
can we prepare and protect one another from such hidden hate.
You smile and bow and enjoy our friendship and the favors of our
generosity, our willingness to aid and embrace the world and all
the while planning our downfall and demise. And the names go on...
Don't smile and celebrate too soon. From
the pain and grief of loss, from out of the ashes, we will arise,
wiser and stronger, much more determined that you and your kind
will not prevail. And the names go on...
For we are a land of heroes and protectors
of the Innocents. And your terrible deed may have crushed our
buildings. But you have loosened a sleeping giant, and from the
ruin, the Spirit of America has erupted. Never again will we be
taken unaware. On that day, the true face of America was painted
on the canvas of history, and the image of the U.S.A. is in its
Heroes. And the names go on...
[On
September 11, 2002, on the lawn of the Baptist Children's Home
in Brentwood, Tennessee,
3,058 crosses were erected, one for each of the victims of Nine
Eleven. Red crosses were for firefighters,
blue for policemen, gold for children, and the rest white. Lest
we forget. - Editor]
***
JOYCE
A. O. LEE is
originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She has lived in Tennessee
with her family since 1973. She is a full time writer of fiction
and poetry, and has just published her first novel, The
Length of a Love Song.
©
Joyce A. O. Lee