I had a dream so long ago
of fire, smoke, anguish, and fear,
and I saw people running to and fro
while they suffered pain so severe.
I wonder if people had their dreams?
Their dreams had to be intense,
anxious, shocking, and tormenting
over the destruction that was immense.
Sometime after, terror came from the sky
in the form of hatred, airplanes, and malcontents,
and they hurled their revenge upon the innocent
while they ravaged our every defense.
Towers toppled and crumbled;
people fell from the sky;
ash and debris littered the air;
the world uttered an outcry.
As towers and people fell
we watched with horrifying stare
and heard their agonizing cries
that penetrated the ash-filled air.
The world was very much aware
of hostile and merciless forces deployed,
of people hurt and killed, of structures razed,
of confidence and peace destroyed.
People staggered and collapsed,
for this was more than they could endure.
Enemies savoured their vengeance,
but the world was never secure.
People raised their arms to heaven with bitter tears
and screamed their battle cry,
for they thought that war could create justice,
but bloodshed has caused the suffering to multiply.
The world will never be the same
after these frightful terrorist acts,
yet the future depends on how we interact
and react to the malice and attacks.
When terrible terror tears asunder
the world we thought was ours
we realize how frail we are,
and how weak are all our powers.
God, give us mercy and strength
during these most troubling times,
and give us support and wisdom
to cope with all these war crimes.
Help us to know Your long-suffering love.
Your presence is as close to us as our breath.
Excite in our hearts the hope that rests
upon life that conquers death.
We survive in a world that is so terrifying.
Teach us to subdue and defeat fear
with courage, endurance, and strength,
and by Your promise that You are always near.
I am plagued by so many questions
that weigh heavily upon my heart and mind,
and I am certain that these questions
also trouble humankind.
I saw the face of a handsome police officer
as he laid in the rubble and mud,
and he clasped a family picture to his heart
which was stained with his own precious blood.
His body was broken by bloody wounds;
he knew that he would die,
and as he closed his weepy eyes
I heard him question, “Why?”
