[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 80 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         POEMS ON SEPTEMBER 11

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I received two poems written by a 
constituent of mine, Ira Somers from Nevada, about the terrorist 
attacks of September 11. Reading these poems, I was reminded of the 
country's great sorrow following that tragic day and the ensuing 
strength and compassion that Americans demonstrated afterwards as they 
came to the aid of those in need, made donations, cleaned up, and put 
their lives back together. But what struck me most was the poet's 
reminder to reaffirm and continue this spirit, to seek out ways every 
day to lend a helping hand and to promote peace and goodwill.
  I would like to share these two poems written by Ira Somers. I ask 
unanimous consent that the poems be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows.

                        The Day of Nine-One-One

        (Written the day of the memorial service for this event)

     It began as a quiet day
     Lives were normal in every way.
     The sun arose with fullest light
     And moved the shadows of the night.
     But this was not to last for long,
     Two big giants tall and strong
     Which seemed to stand for what is good
     Were struck by evil where they stood.

     'Twas on the day of nine-one-one
     That they were lost to everyone.
     There they were, and now they're not,
     And where they stood's a gruesome spot.
     How could these giants of our day
     Be brought to naught in such as way
     To leave this mass of jumbled parts
     And bring such grief to all our hearts?

     We sensed the feelings of despair
     In those who walked most everywhere
     To find the ones that they had lost
     And bring them back at any cost.
     Souls were touched by the kindly deeds
     Of those who toiled for other's needs,
     And how they struggled day and night
     Against this wrong that had no right.

     A vicious crash at the Pentagon
     Tore at the souls of every one,
     And word of heroes in the air
     Brought tears to eyes most everywhere.
     We all can learn from such great loss
     To look at need before the cost
     When giving help to anyone
     And not say quit 'til peace has won.
                                  ____


                           Post Nine-One-One

(Written the day the recovery and cleanup operations were concluded by 
               a ceremony at the World Trade Center site)

     There where those giants stood so tall
     They've cleared away and moved it all,
     And nothing's left for one to see
     But empty space with memories.

     Thinking back to pre-nine-one-one
     And the kinds of things we'd have done.
     No red flag would have caused a stir
     We were so vain and so cocksure.

     But hearts were changed by nine-one-one
     Which touched the souls of everyone.
     There was oneness not seen before
     With firm resolve there'd be no more.

     Now, time can take a ho-hum toll
     So let's not slack on our real goal.
     To these vile men this was no game
     And there are more who'd do the same.

     In all we do let us never cease
     To be a force in the cause of peace,
     And let the acts of that sad day
     Change our lives in permanent ways.

     Let us avoid all selfish goals
     And lift our sites and pledge our souls
     To always stand and work as one,
     And keep it up 'til peace has won.

                          ____________________