Crushed doors, windows, elevators

Lost opportunities dreams, promotions.

Broken, shattered, heaps of rubble

spirits, lives, crumpled souls.

Blood-bathed, severed, lifeless bodies

overwhelmed, tormented, deadened families.

Fire and smoke – anger and uncertainty.

Ashes settle

turmoil subsides.

Embers, boulders, steel laid bare

hopes, challeges, strengths revealed.

Collapsed walls. Fallen towers.

A nation united. A country abased.