#39 Twin Towers

"THE DAY LIBERTY CRIED"

by Erick Seidel Sept. 13, 2001

She was there when it all began
They arrived in boats from foreign lands

She was moved to behold their newfound pride
But she held her tears, she never cried

She saluted her beloved sons
As they boarded ships and manned their guns

To defend her name despite the cost
She still calls the names of the sons she lost

In war and peace she held her post
Torch in hand, steadfast, composed

Until the day horror filled her eyes
That autumn day when Liberty cried

She squinted at every piercing scream
Each broken home, each shattered dream

The twisted metal and choking smoke
Eyes welled with tears, she sobbed, she broke

With head bowed low to God she wailed,
"I let them down, my name has failed."

With trembling knees about to give
Questioning her very will to live

As her tired shoulder lowered the flame
She heard someone call out her name

Across the bay along the shores
Rose a chorus from past and present wars

And in that moment of awkward shame
Her eyes transfixed upon her flame

For in it burns the hope of all
Who claim her as their dutied call

With newfound strength and hope restored
She raised herself and her flaming sword

To show the world that they might see
That freedom will forever be

For the evil of men who thrive on fear
Can cause a wound, can produce a tear

But they will never destroy this sacred name
For when Liberty cried, it fueled her flame