FREEDOM'S COST
 
When engines roared and hatred flew
and innocence was lost.
In twisted steel and broken lives --
there lay Freedom's cost.

When heroes crawled amongst the ruins
in desperate search of life.
Their burning eyes bore witness to
Freedom's awful price.

When travelers stood to wrest the course
of hatred from its goal.
They knew full well they gave their lives
in paying Freedom's toll.

When soldiers proud donned uniforms
for battles all too near.
They knew they would not all return
for Freedom's dues are dear.

When from the sorrow a nation rose
in determined unity.
With heads held high, prepared to fight
for Freedom is not free.

~İDeborah Whipp~Tallahassee, Florida~USA
September 20, 2001
dmwhipp@aol.com




A SOLITARY CANDLE


A solitary candle
A humble, quiet token.
The merest spark of hopefulness
that left the dark unbroken.

It whispered to the empty night 
of innocence too brief,
of bravery midst adversity
of anguished souls in grief.

Through tear-dimmed eyes it shimmered
a solemn, lonely flame.
Its whisper caught the evening breeze
and soon more candles came.

A thousand burning candles
a golden, shining sea.
Lit a nation's darkened heart
revealing Unity.


~İDeorah Whipp~Tallahassee, Florida~USA
October 10, 2001
dmwhipp@aol.com




WE THE PEOPLE

We the People of rich varied heritages, 
red, brown, ebon, white, and gold in creation.
Have struggled to come to accept then embrace
our diversities which strengthen our nation.

We the People of humble beginnings,
whose forefathers dreamt of liberty.
Faltered and stumbled, but their dream like a beacon
shone the way on our path to democracy.

We the People of a nation imperfect
have erred and committed our sins.
Yet we hold our faults up for all to examine
in effort not to commit them again.

We the People of generosity and compassion,
ever ready for other nations in need.
In war or disaster when innocents suffer,
lay our purses and hearts at their feet

We the People believers in justice,
imbued with a sense of fair play.
Strive to practice this quality on both friend and foe,
both at home and in lands far away.

We the People of sorrow and mourning
in grief draw each other near.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, sift through ashes and rubble
finding comfort and hope amidst tears.

We the People of courage and spirit,
face adversity time and again.
We may bend, but not break, and will rise ever stronger,
for We are Americans

~İDeborah Whipp~Tallahassee, Florida~USA
September 14, 2001
dmwhipp@aol.com




UNTITLED

I slip into your bedroom
to listen to you breathe,
softly...
quietly...
to not disturb your sleep.

I offer up a silent plea
for a world gone mad somehow.
I brush away my tears,
I sigh...
then I kiss your brow.

I know that I am not alone
for half a world away,
another mother kneels beside
her child's bed to pray.

~İDeborah Whipp~Tallahassee, Florida~USA
 September 21, 2001
dmwhipp@aol.com




HEAVY HEART

When my heart fell...fell to my feet,
I could feel my heart start to fall,
dread and pain rushed in it's place.
As I watched what happened in New York that day, 
when every thing was not the same.

I did not believe this would happen, I did not believe it could,
but as real as you and me...it did, and people ran afraid.
I think if I was there that day I would not be afraid 
right now,
because nothing that scary could ever happen again.

The most pain I feel right now 
is for those who were lost,
for those who were there to witness this,
for those who had to die in this horrible tragedy
that never...had to be.

~İLauren 14~




AMERICA CRIES
 
America cries as the towers collapse
under one point five million pounds of steel.
A loss of life for thousands of victims
that we will forever feel.
 
The jewels of the New York skyline
sadly stand no more.
The terrorists attacked us viciously
down to our very core.
 
The number of victims beneath tons of debris
has reached into the thousands.
Tragedy has bared it's ugly face
at home on our own proud land.
 
The tell tale sign of an American
is a badly broken heart.
Our nation now has merged as one
and from this we will never part.
 
The hijackers engaged in these despicable deeds
with no regard for human life.
Unbelievably able to take over the planes
with a box cutter or a four inch knife.
 
The evil of these terrorist acts
is a war against humanity.
A war against our civilization
that we never dreamed we'd see.
 
Bless the hearts of our heroes
trying hard to save an innocent life.
Working so desperately without giving up hope
praying at least some would survive.
 
There was sadly no hope at the Pentagon
they're not sure yet how many died.
The workers there showed their heartfelt pain
as they unfurled our flag with pride.
 
And bless the victims that died in Pittsburgh
that had the courage to stop them and fight back.
It's only because of their bravery
that our White House is still intact.
 
The horror of these atrocious acts
is too shocking to comprehend.
Who would have ever dreamed
our United States would be a victim.
 
Americans now have something new
far and wide.
Learning fear
as we deal with our pride.
 
Let our freedom ring
a deafening blare of our command.
Never have I known before
how proud I am to be an American.
 
Buildings can be rebuilt
but the human toll will resonate forever.
We are strong, watch us heal
as a nation we will boldly endeavor.
 
My heart beats so proudly
with it's blood red, white, and blue.
Pay back for these actions
is more than definitely due.
 
Yea thou we walk through the shadow of death
we will fear no evil.
America is strong
we WILL prevail.
 
And crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.
One nation under God
we will forever be.
 
God bless America
our home sweet home.
And God bless our beautiful flag
the proud banner of our freedom.
Forever.

by~İKaren Redd~
N. Little Rock, Arkansas  




Index Of Poetry