In
the first few hours
The
scope of the horror was revealed.
With
no regard for life, despicable cowards
struck
at our political, military and financial heart..
In
that short time
innocents
and innocence were crushed.
Immediately,
Americans pulled together,
spearheaded
by three groups of professionals
To
run into a place of peril with no thought for their own safety -
this
is their hallmark.
Attired
in coat, boots and distinctive hat,
eager
to aid , to battle ñ
this
is the description of a firefighter.
His
usual adversary, fire,
broiling,
suffocating, blazing fire
His
enemies this time,
explosions,
industrial avalanche,
terror,
horror, and panic.
He
puts his head down and rushes into danger.
The
police officer of my childhood was
Officer
Friendly.
A
person to go to if lost or in trouble.
A
protector; a defender.
His
reputation has become blurred over the years,
but
on Black Tuesday, he was there,
defending,
shielding, guiding;
plunging
headlong into the fray
with
no regard for personal risk
to
assist those in need.
More
people would have been lost
In
this horrific tragedy
but
for the emergency medical personnel.
Paying
to no heed to the hazards,
they
work around the clock
rescuing
, healing, recovering.
Angels
of mercy.
As
we watch the aftermath,
we
see their faces,
grimy,
haggard, exhausted .
nevertheless,
they work
displaying
for the world
heroism
in action.
©
Ellie Maziekien
91301