The Lights That Have Vanished
by Michael Hillmer
Let us go then
Where we have never had to go before
Straight down into the heart of the horror
Of half-deserted, blasted, bloody streets
With the earth shuddering beneath our feet
We watch the memory of the lights that have vanished
From these Twin Towers of man's belief
In humanity and world peace, fade...
Seeing as we've never seen before
Our transfigured anger redeeming our sight
The diffuse visualization of justice
Blossoming from that anger seeking the light
Our hearts of darkness breaking
From the sound of rolling thunder
Asking the eternal question
“What is wrong?” “What is right?”
Those who were living are now dead
We who are living are now dying
Moment by moment
With little patience for mercy or regret
Wondering, is the very air we live by safe
This is the end of innocence
The time for saving grace.
