United We Stand September 11, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in People, Poetry, Writing & Writers.trackback
On September 11, 2001, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center burned, Lady Liberty stood tall, sending a message of Freedom, Hope and Unity to the world through ever silent lips.
Wikipedia ~ Statue of Liberty (in Public Domain)
Emma Lazarus penned words that Lady Liberty now shares with visitors to her home:
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus, 1883
Thank you, Emma Lazarus.
From what I read, there was some arm twisting involved but the end result is beautiful.
Beautiful words…
Aren’t they? I’ve always loved this poem.
Thank you for the timely reminder of such a fateful day, Nancy. Stunning poem.
And a beautiful lady to wear Emma’s words. ; )
Beautiful
Lady Liberty and Emma’s poem capture what this country SHOULD stand for . . .
Here’s hoping that we’re headed back in that direction. ; )