9/11/2001: Engine 7 - Ladder 1 Poem by Jim Boone

A sea gull flies across an awakening eastern sky as the
Twin Towers of the NY World Trade Center catch the
Rays of the rising sun, reflecting them across the water
And the neighborhoods below:

Fireman/actor James Hanlon, Jules and Gedeon Naudet
Greet another day of documentary shooting. After his
Breakfast, Jules goes for a routine gas leak check with
Chief Pfeifer and some of the guys.

8: 46 AM
Looking up, distracted by loud, low-flying aircraft
Sounds directing sight toward the towers, sudden hit/
Explosion/smoke/fire. The day that will live in world/
US/NY history, officially began:

"Firemen live to help others live" - A very thin line
Between life and heroic ascension. New Yorker's eyes
Filled with horror; firemen looking up, carrying heavy
Loads, facing 80 flights of stairs, trying to calm survivors
On their way down.

9: 06 AM
Hit two, South tower, as all hell broke loose (CRASH!)
Somebody jumped, another life ended (CRASH!) and
Another, as the world knew more of what was going on
Than the firefighters and New York cops inside (CRASH!)

Looks of bewildered finality on the faces of the brave as
Realization of impossibility began to set in, a ‘proby' named
Tony Benetatos and a retired chief escorted each other to
The front lines to study ‘war' first hand.

Hundreds of firefighters and workers inside heard an
Incredible, life-ending sound, as the South tower came
Roaring down and darkness shrouded North tower:
"Everybody out! EVERYBODY OUT! ! " (CRASH! CRASH!)
The white powder of mass cremation was everywhere,
Coating landscape and people on a colorless canvass
Of life lost and found, that was breathtakingly profound.
Death certificate 0001 - Father Michael Judge

In the meantime, the North Tower was about to come
Rushing down also as departing firemen find an abandoned
Command post: "Not a good sign, not a good sign."

10: 28 AM
A HUGE roar: "RUN! ! "
An eruption of debris: Dust, pain, sightless prayers; bottled
Water cleaning a disaster-corroded camera lens, revealing a
Surreal grey-white landscape of overwhelming finality.

Then came the quiet before the tears as the men of Engine 7,
Ladder 1 started to come back, one by one; hugs of relieved
Welcome; miracle of miracles, kisses for brothers alive. Soon
The search and rescue efforts would begin; Tony was still
Missing, but nine hours later, up he walked. There were
Exhausted comments falling into more hugs and kisses
Celebrating the return of this newest family member.

The dig began: Twenty-four on, twenty-four off at now
What is known as ‘Ground Zero." Layered with mountains
Of debris, stockpiled vehicles, dust to dust disbelief, turned
To mind-bending reality. "Quiet, quiet! " Listen - "Hello! "
Only one person found alive in 24-hours* as days and weeks
Gave way to frustrated acceptance beyond physical limits
Continuation, and the list of the dead got longer and longer,
To the sound of bagpipes while the survivors are looking for
The love, for what they do and feeling that life will never,
Ever be the same; hoping that, to some degree, those feelings
Are wrong as they go to work every day. These men need and
Love each other more than ever; still do ‘funny', ‘stupid'
Things in the lighten-up moments; still try to do a good job,
Aware of a different perspective on life and love, honor and
Strength; never forgetting the fallen / risen heroes of 9/11/2001.


Footnote:
Now, imagine a muted trumpet playing taps. Hear a lone bagpipe
That grows, one by one to a spirit-lifting pipers corps, and suddenly
Church bells begin to ring, all over this land and across the planet
Earth at the hEart of the universe. Imagine and never forget.




Jim Boone, US Poet Laureate Nominee: poemhunter.com/JB