In Remembrance of September 11, 2001

September 11, 2020 marks 19 years since the 9/11 terror attacks, but we will never forget. Thousands of people were killed that day, including more than 400 emergency workers. Our country was forever changed, but in that tragedy we found our strength.

We remember those who lost their lives and are forever grateful to those who sacrificed theirs to serve others that day. #911Memorial #September11 #neverforget

This year, in honor of those who lost their lives, we share with you a poem written by Loretta Jackson, a Merrimack resident and freelance writer. She penned this poem with no tweaks and no second drafts on the morning after 9/11.

There’s another choir in Heaven.
Have the screams turned into songs yet?
People put their shoes on that day
and went to work.
And died.
Coffee cup’s still in the sink.
Half a piece of toast grows moldy.
Somewhere, Fido howls for bones
and a pat on the head.
Master’s dead.
There’s dry cleaning
they’ll never pick up.
Birthday cakes, no more.
Never again, a “Honey, I’m home!”
Or the sound of their keys in the door.
Or the scuff of their slippers
crossing the floor, to say goodnight,
just once more.
They only did what’s right,
went to work.
And died.
They died at their desks
and died in the skies.
Some of them died while trying
to save lives.
They met their God amid
rubble and flame.
Or some other way.
Yesterday. 9-11-01
This too we will never forget.

May God bless our country and the souls of those lost.