“Names”

All of these names read aloud
Some read quickly and others –
More measured, more deliberate
All of these names mean something
Most of the names have many titles:
Husband, wife, mother, father
Grandfather, uncle, aunt, sister
Brother, cousin, nephew, niece
Friend, colleague, client, citizen
All of these names represent a life
A life extinguished far too soon
A life taken by a tragic event
Seventeen years ago on a bright
Sunny September morning
The names just keep going
And going, being read by
Family members, friends of those
Lost in the attacks that fateful day
The names and faces all unique
From older men and women
To mid-life professionals
To recent college grads
To firemen and police
The names reflect all ethnicities
All races, all colors, all walks
Of life and religions
With a common thread
They all left this world
On 9/11 and they left behind
A legacy and an imprint
A promise we made as a nation
And need to always keep
We will never forget

Copyright 2018 – Frank J. Maduri – All rights reserved