story7369.xml
Title
story7369.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-14
911DA Story: Story
Wake Up Call By Carol Johnson
We woke up Tuesday morning
To find the world had changed
Our borders, violated
By an evil force, deranged
And thousands of just ordinary
People now lay dead
Not one of us could help but ask
"Could that be us instead?"
We watched the towers crumble
There was nothing left but dust
It hurt so much to see it
But somehow we thought we must
It didn't matter if we'd never met
The tears came just the same
These were our people, all of them
How strong the feelings came
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
In that case they would win
Revenge is the first thought
When you are hurt this way
You're strength is gone, your heart is broken
"Someone has to pay!"
"Let's wipe them off the earth!"
"Let's tear them all apart!"
But we sink to their level
With this hate ruling our heart
I know the anger in your gut
Could never be more real
But I doubt the terrorists will care
One bit 'bout how you feel
Hate will only push love out
Eat you up inside
And all you have that is worthwhile
Also will have died
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
In that case they would win
We must be strong and show them
We're superior by far
But how will grasping unforgiveness
Even START to raise the bar?
Love's the only way to show
The world you are not weak
The strongest man who ever lived
Said "Turn the other cheek."
We show our strength with candles
To chase away the dark
With hands clasped very tightly
To re-light the people's spark
With promises that we'll survive
And love all people more
No we will never be the same
We're better than before
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
Love lets us win again
We woke up Tuesday morning
To find the world had changed
Our borders, violated
By an evil force, deranged
And thousands of just ordinary
People now lay dead
Not one of us could help but ask
"Could that be us instead?"
We watched the towers crumble
There was nothing left but dust
It hurt so much to see it
But somehow we thought we must
It didn't matter if we'd never met
The tears came just the same
These were our people, all of them
How strong the feelings came
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
In that case they would win
Revenge is the first thought
When you are hurt this way
You're strength is gone, your heart is broken
"Someone has to pay!"
"Let's wipe them off the earth!"
"Let's tear them all apart!"
But we sink to their level
With this hate ruling our heart
I know the anger in your gut
Could never be more real
But I doubt the terrorists will care
One bit 'bout how you feel
Hate will only push love out
Eat you up inside
And all you have that is worthwhile
Also will have died
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
In that case they would win
We must be strong and show them
We're superior by far
But how will grasping unforgiveness
Even START to raise the bar?
Love's the only way to show
The world you are not weak
The strongest man who ever lived
Said "Turn the other cheek."
We show our strength with candles
To chase away the dark
With hands clasped very tightly
To re-light the people's spark
With promises that we'll survive
And love all people more
No we will never be the same
We're better than before
I recognize just how you feel
The fear and pain are all too real
But wounds that fester cannot heal
Don't let the terrorists come steal
The love that's left within
Love lets us win again
Collection
Citation
“story7369.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 22, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/9182.