What Should We Want
What did they want?
these devils who fly planes
into tall buildings
so that strangers will die
They seek to create chaos, disorder
frustration, hopelessness
among the survivors
across the nation
their own ends then to meet
What should we do?
bring the wrong doers to justice
this is true
but we must not give
them what they planned to have
we must bring calmness
proper purposefulness to our land
not nervous breakdowns
nor emotional rage filled decisions
but calm, calculated prayerful
though and action
Why, we should and must ask?
because we seek things too
liberty, freedom, justice
honor, integrity
more than mere words
if they are the fabric of our being
then we will embody them
and deny the terrorist scourge
any satisfaction
as we wage a war for truth
and that which is right
for this should be our want.
dc riggs 12 Sept 01 ©
Justice, Freedom, Liberty
Justice, Freedom, Liberty
the American way
the Flag
red, white, and blue
a call to me
a call also to you
to act with honor, integrity
though in truth
our enemies do not
Oh the anguish
of wearing a hat of white
when dirty is done
to us, to ours
our emotions cry
REVENGE!
but this our honor does blight
as would ignoring
the guilty
for justice must be done
the wrongs punished
the innocent spared, protected
and future tragedy
prevented
thus ensuring the pursuit
of happiness
the American way
of Justice, Freedom, Liberty.
dc riggs 12 Sept 01 ©
More Than Vain Words
A prayer I offer, of simple words
from my heart
nothing remotely profound
but tragedy has struck
lives shattered, gone
American innocence vanished
as carnage was brought
by those
from foreign land
to our own American soil
Where is the guilt?
certainly with those who planned
those executing the deed
those supporting
in many a varied way
the climate
that makes terrorism ripe
Oh, for those who allow greed
to plant anger's seed
for governments
protecting, nurturing, inciting
the terrorists
to murder and destroy
the blame is wide
and covers
foreign and home soil
so many guilty
will never be brought to justice
but blood is on their hand
even the lackadaisical
doing nothing
except not standing to say "Wrong!"
Hear O' Lord, this prayer
turn human hearts
toward that which is right, fair
let the terrorist learn
their days are fatefully numbered
as we unite together
to stamp out
not through vigilant justice
their sordid kind
that the world might be
a safer place
for all those of humankind
give me the power
to stand firm
for that which is honorable
good, and right
and not merely utter vain words.
dc riggs 12 Sept 01 ©
Hear My Prayer
Please dear God, Hear my prayer
as we mourn
for those who are now
gone, dead
through terrorist's plan
the carnage
is so very great
yet this was the portal
that carried many
through to heaven's gate
Please, dear God, Hear my prayer
for those who grieve
the loss of mate, dad, mom
son, daughter, lover
dear friend
for their loss is incalculable
give peace to them
that the world cannot give
for the world is tangible
they need the divine to live
Please, dear God, Hear my prayer
for our Nation, our world
shocked at this calculated action
that destroyed, killed
drove many to despair, panic, fear
anger, frustration
let us not give terrorist
what they want
but let us respond with calm of mind
to do the right in Your sight
Please, dear God, Hear my prayer.
dc riggs 12 Sept 01 ©
Our Commonality
I have been with those who died
of war, disease, accident
this their commonality
they're dead
which means that they
a useless, non-functioning body
have fled
to seek a celestial shore
yet they too
have a commonality
that they left holes in lives
where once they lived
memories
good and not so good
with others of humankind
a mate, lover, friend
a son, daughter
perhaps a parent or two
sisters or brothers
these for the dead do grieve
yet their is more
for we all have commonality
as we have lived life
fashioned more than existence
made a dent, a place
in history
have become part of the fabric
of life on earth
that began at our birth
continuing past our death
how marvelous
though we are so different
we all share a special commonality.
dc riggs 12 Sept 01 ©
