Moments Frozen in Time

I suspect everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing the morning of September 11, 2001. Today as a myriad of memorial services pay homage to those who lost their lives on that day, our hearts may feel a tug as we reflect on the tremendous loss our nation suffered.

On April 19, 2005, another national tragedy took place. Most referred to it as the Oklahoma City Bombing. The explosion that rocked our nation on that day claimed the lives of 168 people, some of them children.

As is often the case, I wrote a poem to purge what I was feeling. The poem below is the result. It seems to also fit what took place on 9-11. I originally entitled it, "Thoughts on April 19, 1995. Today I will rename it as follows:

A Phoenix Will Arise

Can a phoenix arise
From the ashes of darkened skies
Despite the sound of heart-felt cries
That echo across the land?

Can we ever understand
The hatred that exists in man
To cause destruction by his hand
Singeing hearts with fires of hate?

What is to the be the fate
Of those who now grieve and wait
Hoping that it's not too late
For loved ones missing still?

Ever burns the iron will
Of valiant souls who'll endure until
Hope is gone and cries are shrill
When precious life is gone.

There will be another dawn
The strong will learn to carry on
Despite heavy hearts; faces drawn
A phoenix will arise.

Cheri J. Crane
1995