At the Close of a Day in September

                                                             for September 11, 2001

At the Close of a Day in September

The beauty of the earth and its inhabitants
Grew exponentially
At the close of a day
In September.
After the horror was known
When the greatest fears were faced
While the silence was the strongest
As the smoke still rose
We stood.
Individually
Collectively
We stood.
Less divided and unconquered.
The worst had happened.
The darkest hour had come
Unanticipated
Shocking
Incomprehensible.
And yet, we stood.
Warily,
Slowly,
Quietly
Yet measurably
We turned toward what we had not lost.
The earth was beautiful beyond belief
And its peoples were our neighbors.
A guarded sigh was murmured.
Hands touched.
Eyes met.
Hearts mourned together
And together went forward.
The beauty of the earth and its inhabitants
Grew exponentially.

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My heart rejoices in the Lord;  ...
There is no one holy like the Lord;
There is no one besides you;
There is no rock like our God.

I Samuel 2: 1-2