Like tears in the night the rain washed over you.

A cleansing cry that turned into a howling scream.

The waterfalls continued splashing downward

Like blood from a wound,

Now joined by the liquid of the storm’s fury.

 

The pain encircled you and consumed you.

Loss remembered became the eye of the storm.

Wind gusts threatened to extinguish

That which had survived a far greater tragedy

So many years ago.

 

One by one we were plunged into darkness.

Eternal flames sputtered and died.

Bricks and metal and flowers

Buried under trees fallen

Will we ever rise again to see the dawn?

 

In all disasters the strong survive.

Though plaza flooded, the new tower stood tall.

Though loved ones were forever lost

Their brass plaques remained unburnished by the debris.

The human heart has beat a thousand times

And will continue to beat, for we are stronger than the storm.