The Firefighters Helmet.

All I can think of is that dented firefighters helmet As I recall that concrete and twisted steel tomb Those dazed and dusty faces lost in disbelief In the rubble of the fallen towers Only moments ago, the planes assailed New York Pulverizing the heart of the nation Steel supports gave way, bodies fell from the smoke Our delusions of safety burning away From the debris we plucked the pieces of hellish reality The rescue workers keeping theirs, and I mine Holding fast to the hope of a chance to find life Somewhere in the hazy gray of uncountable names Those who’ve been lost now sleep around us as we work Although they’ve been consumed and ripped Their spirits, our hope, and a brighter future remains Healing the wounds, cleaning the blood, and drying the eyes As we lifted a piece of broken wall the helmet fell free Tumbling down the tor of steely concrete to land at my feet Burning the truth of that day beyond any comprehension Side by side we worked understanding...that unspoken moment