| Remember This | 
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| Its been three years since we last talked eagle,
There were times that I felt weak and feeble.
Yes sir I understand, I've been there too,
5 years have passed and yet I feel so blue.
Some people still don't believe its real,
The day hatred brought down concrete and steel.
One day you think you can make it through,
Then you see something that brings it all back to you.
But I see we are here for the same reason soldier,
To pay respect for those that couldn't get older.
The day that pride reached far into the sky,
The day HERO was spelled F-D-N-Y.
I bow my head for each that died,
They all had fear, yet into death they stride.
These men were like no other no doubt,
To run into hell, when everyone else ran out.
Each of these men wanted nothing more,
Than to get every single person, out the front door.
They gave their lives to let a stranger keep theirs,
The elevators were out, so they climbed the stairs.
They checked every floor for signs of life,
While thinking about family...their kids...their wife.
Some knew they would not make it out,
But they fought, and moved on, finding a route.
Then came the sound of the first crashing down,
It was real now, and in the dust they were drowned.
But they moved on, looking for a hole,
Some clenching tools, some...their soul.
America had never seen such bravery,
So how come just a few flags do my eyes see?
The minute we lose hope, and lose respect,
The terrorists have won, and we can't get that back.
America really needs to start showing its pride,
Like it was on 9/11...it should have never died.
It seems a lot has been taken for granted,
Many peoples views have become quite slanted.
If we loose touch with what bravery made,
The souls of these firemen will slowly fade.
If we let them fade, then we start to forget,
When we start to forget, it becomes a threat.
The soldier with his hand still on the wall,
Got down on his knees and started to crawl.
He closed his eyes and ran his fingers,
Along each and every name...the pain still lingers.
"My brother was one of these eagle...you know that right"?
"No" said the eagle, "they are all your brothers tonight.
You stand here before me in your uniform,
Military, police, fire department...you are all one".
The soldier then got back to his feet,
Squared himself off and brushed the dust from his knees.
He smiled at the eagle and said to him "Sir",
"You are a great friend, we need to talk more
You tell it like it is, and your words are deep,
I keep you close to my heart, you are one to keep.
I feel pride when you are around,
You have helped many people up off the ground".
The soldier put his hand back on the wall one last time,
And the bell at St. Patrick's started to chime.
He did an about face with a thunderous crack,
With the FDNY memorial now at his back.
He and the eagle started to walk away,
Just then something happened I can't explain.
Time seemed to stop in suspended animation,
People stopped mid step, apparently frozen.
The soldier and the eagle were the only non...
Touched by this amazing phenomenon.
The scene lost its color, just black and white,
And from behind them they saw some light.
When they turned around they both had a tremble in their feet,
For now over 100 firemen stood in the street.
They all smiled, and the two smiled back,
They suddenly felt warm, and began to slack.
For they were in good company now, no reason to fear,
Then both let out a single tear.
They were here in the presence of the bravest men,
That brought hope to the tragedy again and again.
The soldier and the eagle both raised a salute,
It was silent now, like a TV on mute.
Just then the soldiers brother stepped out,
And said, "Thank you brother, but do not pout.
We gave our lives, so thousands could live,
All you have to do, is never forget".
The two brothers then hugged, an eternity it seemed
The eagle and the others bowed their heads and respect screamed.
Then they all saluted back, and the two dropped theirs
But still couldn't hold in all the tears.
"I love you brother, thank you for this,
There isn't a day that you I don't miss".
Then all the heroes began to slowly fade,
Each of them still smiling gave a thumbs-up in the shade.
The two looked at each other, minds blown,
As magically as they appeared, 100 plus men were gone.
The color came back and the movement did too,
Just like any day in New York, and that is true.
Neither the soldier nor the eagle said a single word,
They were still in shock of what they saw and heard.
As they walked quietly into the sunset,
The soldier said to the eagle "we can't forget"
The eagle smiled but didn't say a thing,
He just looked back at Ladder 10 thinking...Let Freedom Ring. | By Sean Polanowski
Copyright 2006
Listed 9/18/2006 |
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