The Stranger stood the in the rubble
As the smoke choked out the sun
And the sirens wailed to protest
What man to man had done.
But when the Stranger hid His tear-stained face
A cop began to understand
For he could not help but notice
That He had nail-prints in His hands.

And there was mourning in America
And a prayer for God to bless
With Old Glory proudly waving
From most everyone's address.
But in a field in Pennsylvania
They found a sandal-print in the sod,
And in the ashes in Manhattan
They found the broken heart of God.

While George and John and gentle Condi
Shook their heads in disbelief
And the nation sobbed in sorrow
In search of Freedon's thief-
"Twas then the Stranger spoke His few, short words
Before He closed His eyes from sight,
"Why can't they see I love them all-
The red and yellow, black and white?

And there was mourning in America
And a prayer for God to bless
With Old Glory proudly waving
From most everyone's address.
But in a field in Pennsylvania
They found a sandal-print in the sod,
And in the ashes in Manhattan
They found the broken heart of God.
--David M. Atkinson 9/20/2001

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