Two gallant towering Titans gleamed In morning’s early light

With a welcome to a working world In the Land that hope unites.

Their myriad eyes looked on like ours Transfixed with disbelief,

As flaming arrows struck their sides ‘Till even steel felt grief.

The raging fires recalled the time They first were forged to be

The stalwart standards of New York, Two pillars of Liberty.

What forger called the furnace hence? What next were they to be?

No time to think of the afterlife, Or the pain of this savagery.

They awoke to their call in this perilous fight! For, you see, they had oft heard the song

Of “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” And knew they must still be strong.

The twin sentinels held firm as long as they could To protect each fragile ward,

Though the fires that ripped through their very bowels,

Left them battered and shattered and charred.

And if hearts they had, they surely broke, As they watched their dear charges fly

From the shoulders of those who were tasked to protect;

The whole world heard their audible cry!

But as their eyes dimmed, they were let to behold What no others on earth could yet see –

The angels who caught every soul ere it fell, Which on wings of its own, then flew free.

At that they each gave a wrenching sigh; They had no more left to give.

Their shame evoked one humble prayer: Forgive!  Forgive!  Forgive!

Then one by one, those warriors brave, Sank as nobly to the earth

As tons of concrete, steel and glass Could, to still prove their worth.

And as molten steel passed each undaunted heart Of those heroes who’d all come to serve,

It captured a beat from each precious one It so valiantly hoped to preserve.

Does a tiny heart of steel still beat Beneath the rubble deep?

And will those Titans be recalled, Or will they forever sleep?

© 2001 by Carolyn K. Long

The above lines are from “Titans,” Part I of the 9/11 Memorial poem and video, “Angels Over America,” by Carolyn K. Long, author and executive producer of the video. The poem and video, co-produced by award-winning arranger and composer Mark Freeh, can be viewed or downloaded from  www.AngelsOverAmerica.org or secured by contacting Carolyn@AngelsOverAmerica.com.

Carolyn K. Long is a professional speaker, consultant, writer and photographer, based in Columbia, MD.