One

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.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One
We are United
We are America.

— Dr. Cheryl Sawyer of the University of Houston Clear Lake