By Joyce Dale
Merced Poet Laureate
September 11, 2025

For 24 years the United States of America
Has come together on this day.
To pause, to remember, to reflect.
To stand, to cry, to pray.

The worst day in the history of America
Was September 11, 2001.
Over 3000 innocent lives were shattered
And the families they all come from.

Regular citizens became heroes
Instantly… there was no turning back.
We’ll never forget the chaos and pain
On the day America was attacked.

Many years have passed and we continue
To come together on 9-1-1
To remember the friends and family lost
Every mother, father, daughter and son.

All across America and all across the world
People began to pray.
We came together like never before
We’ll keep coming together on this day!