The following poem was written by John Barth upon seeing the American flag flying over the ruins of the World Trade Center while he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His parents, Carolyn and Marvin, live in Tracy. Barth lives in Fairfax, Va., and is now retired from the corps.

Phoenix

O great mythical bird

rise up from these ashes

and lead our nation

forward

through these days of pain

and anguish.

But, my God

there are so many ashes.

Twisted steel and random shards

piercing our hearts

’til we bleed and weep

into utter numbness.

What creature could rise

from such destruction?

What spirit

could lead a nation

out of so deep a chasm as this?

But I have seen it!

I have seen the Phoenix!

I see it in the eyes

of dust-caked volunteers

sifting through tons of rubble

with only the merest hope

of saving one life.

I see it in the blood

that flows freely

from those who would give

whatever they could

for a countryman in need.

I see it reflected in the faces

of the firefighters and police

who risked their lives,

and risk them still.

I have seen the Phoenix!

It flutters over the ruin.

Its wings, streaked red and white.

Its proud head, blue as a starlit sky,

and shining with the light

of freedom.

It flies still.

Look to it.

It leads our nation.

Forward.