We Are One

A poem of 9/11 by Professor Cheryl Sawyer, University of Houston

We Are One

Reader #1: As the soot and dirt and ash rained down
Everyone: We became one color

Reader #2: As we carried each other down the stairs of burning buildings
Everyone: We became one class

Reader #3: As we lit candles of waiting and hope
Everyone: We became one generation

Reader #4 As firefighters and police officers battled their way into the inferno
Everyone: We became one gender

Reader #5 As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength
Everyone: We became one faith

Reader #6 As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement
Everyone: We spoke one language

Reader #7: As we gave our blood in lines a mile long
Everyone: We became one body

Reader #8: As we mourned together the great loss
Everyone: We became one family

Reader #9: As we cried tears of grief and loss
Everyone: We became one soul

Reader #10: As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of hereos
Everyone: We become one people

Everyone: We are

Reader #11: One color
Reader #12: One Class
Reader #13: One generation
Reader #14: One gender
Reader #15: One faith
Reader #16: One language
Reader #17: One body
Reader #18: One family
Reader #19: One soul
Reader #20: One people

Everyone: We are the Power of One
                We are United
                We are America


By: Professor Cheryl Sawyer, University of Houston