To The Dedicated Rescue Workers

By Tammy McCoy

Would I be as brave
As the rescue workers
Who sift through debris
An endless stream of rubble
Steel, paper and remains

Of what used to be a building
An airplane
A husband, wife or friend?

Could I continue to return
To my grisly task
As the smoke billowed and choked
Burning my eyes and my heart
As the rain fell
Dousing the small glimmer of
Hope that I had left

Do any of us, when faced with
And impossible task
Think that we will have the courage
To do what it takes
Or do we jump in headfirst

Fortified by our faith
That hope can never be lost
Fueled by the desire to show
Our enemies
That we will not lose heart

Our burning desire for justice
Always hotter than that of
Any man made fire
Our resolve for what is right
Stronger than the beams that
Support our mightiest towers

Thank you to all those Americans
Who continue to sift through the ashes
Knowing that beneath the gloom
Flickers the light of the eternal optimism
That is the
United States of America

TJ 9-13-01

Sent specifically to us at Grace with love from Marti Sherrill