Today, Americans remember
One of the greatest travesties to befall our nation.
We may review footage from the crashes
And to patriotism, pray for salvation.
But patriotism is not the lesson I learned from 9/11.
I don’t look at the events that occurred as why America must win at the expense of others.
In those attacks, 2,996 people lost their lives.
In the 11 years that followed, war has made 7,977 grieving mothers.
If we learn anything from 9/11,
Let it be that revenge does not pay.
That we may be terrorized, but not terrified.
That we can choose if tormentors get their way.
No matter what menace may strike us,
Whatever liberties they hope to take,
Whatever towers they may destroy,
Whatever impact they hope to make,
They cannot take our ability to choose joyfulness,
To be happy under a new moon as well as the sun,
And if we have joy, our tormentors lose.
Because of hope, not revenge, we won.
The Daily Travesty 