A day of remembrance

Today is a day of remembrance

Of all those who, at the hands
Of violence, war and terror
Lost their lives
On that day in September
And left behind loved ones
Who will always miss them.

Today is a day of remembrance
Of all those who, at the hands
Of violence, war and terror
Lost their lives
In all conflicts of days gone by
And left behind loved ones
Who have always missed them.


Today is a day of remembrance.
May the sharing, the prayers
The compassion and love
Expressed today be a healing balm
To all the wounded hearts
Who to this day still bleed
From the painful memories.


Today is a day of remembrance.
May the children of all nations
Decide deep down in their heart
That they will never commit
Such an act of violence.
May they rise above the past
May they find freedom at last.


Today is a day of remembrance.
May it be a turning point in history
May it be a collective awakening
To a new life giving reality.
May all of us decide to choose
New ways of dealing with challenges
Ways that will be loving and kind.


So  that day of remembrance
Will not just be about the painful
Memories of loss and suffering
But will become the remembrance
Of the day we decided to change
The day we turned the corner
The day peace became reality.


©Doris Crompton  9/11/2011