Tribute in Light | National September 11 Memorial & Museum

ALL WE EVER KNEW (SEPTEMBER’S LAMENT)

I never knew Jay
But I watched him die
Moving
To save would-have-been life.
Was this the last victory
Of devolved human
Hatred that crushed down on brave bones?
No.
His spirit You set free
Before she
And before they
Were at all ready to return
The Everything
Of who he had been — who he would be — unto You.

I’m chasing a way
To grab hold of the Why
Crying
For one should-have-been wife.
…Breathe again. Falsely
Take freedom’s fill while we can.
Hatred. It’s hushed one hundred million homes.
Know
The man men want to be
Jay was
And Jay is.
The victory we’ve yet to earn?
Only one thing
And all we ever knew: Truth is Love, only Love stays true.