On the occasion of D. C. Roe's 2996 Project honoring the men and women of Patriot Day. September 11, 2006

Come, and say a name with me
From a sky where reflection shone.
A name from a life of family,
America’s and your own.
Come, we’ll say his name aloud
To beckon the memory there
Of the father proud of the family proud
Of his work in the terraced air.

At the back of his mild and easy grin
Live thoughts of his younger days.
Of visits and kids in the northern twin,
Wide eyed at the miles of gaze.
His boy looks down with astonished mind;
The powers of Dads are cool!
His daughter, out to a future signed
At her feet by the brilliant jewel.

Come, and listen for whistling sighs
Of winds you can only see.
Hear breath and voice in the columns rise;
All hollow, if not for these.
The deepest quietest voice he hears
Speaks pride in an honored life;
A murmuring constant across the years
From the hearts of a man and wife.

Here is a Hero, for his is the dream
Of a land renewing and young.
To see it you live with a love agleam
Where the hero's grace is sung.
To memory beckon this grace unbowed;
Reply to renewal's call.
Come, we'll say his name aloud,
The saying to save us all.

Jose's cousin, Ruben Esquilin Jr., also perished in the attack on the World Trade Center. You can read his tribute here.

   posted by Stephen at 8:29 PM | Plink