[mrustow]

We live just six blocks from St. Francis de Sales. On her way to work, my wife saw what was going on, and tried to call me from work, to go take the baby, but I was on the computer, and we have only one phone line. I didn't know until after 911, but Belle Harbor (Queens) was home to dozens of firemen who paid the ultimate price that day. The local Roman Catholic churches, St. Francis de Sales and St. Finbar's, have heard the pipers blow on several occasions, with many more to come.

On the Saturday or Sunday following 911, my wife and I took the baby for his first walk beyond the house. Across the bay, we could still see the plume of smoke apparently heading toward Northern Queens from the spot where the Towers had stood. A tall, trim, fortyish man with salt-and-pepper hair approached us, on his way home. "I lost my best friend," he told us, muttering that he worked for the Fire Department, clutching momentarily at the work ID hanging from his belt loop, as his face tightened.

"I'm sorry," was all I knew to say, as he turned to go.

[AppyPappy]

A fawned-girl stands at a frosty window
Waiting
A boy with eyes of blue stands by a door
Waiting
A woman sits with misty eyes and knitted hands
Waiting
For one who will never come.

A man stands in a field of eternal bloom
Emerald grass and skies of blue
Where clouds drift and songbirds sing
He stands looking toward home
Waiting
For the day when they will come.
And stay.
Forever.