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One...
 
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
                We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building
                We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope
                We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno
                We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
                We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
                We spoke one language.
As we   gave our blood in lines a mile long,
                We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss
                We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss
                We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes
                We become one people.

Cheryl Sawyer is a professor at UH Clear Lake in the counseling department.