I’ve been busy editing a collection of short stories I hope to put out in June or July 2017 – I’m making cuts, fine-tuning and rearranging some previously published pieces, and writing a few new ones – The working title is Cyberweird Stories.

For this post, I thought I’d share a poem I wrote the day after the twin towers were hit.

The New War

By D.C. Lozar

Shadows unseen attacked at first light.

We bled but knew not whom to fight.

The year was two thousand and one.

Our golden age of innocence was done.

Misled arrows directed by hate

Opened the door to our new fate.

Blazing flames engulfed twin towers,

Symbols of freedom’s united powers.

A third blameless missile deepened our pain.

What was all this death meant to gain?

America looked to the thorn in its side

And found a wound gaping wide.

Mothers and Fathers would come home no more,

Full family circles now made poor.

Eyes open wide, mouths drawn tight,

Even our children knew all was not right.

Evil has raised its cowardly head.

Tears fill our eyes as we bury the dead.

One is too many, two too much.

Loved ones never again to touch.

The fourth guiltless bullet dropped to the ground,

Disarmed by heroes newly found.

Our Nation’s strength is suddenly clear.

Men and Women bound together against their fear.

We are one people, one hand, one fist.

They went for our heart, and by God, they missed.

Stand with your brother, your neighbor, your friend.

This is the message we will send.

As a family rocked by sorrow,

We swear to make a new tomorrow

Where faceless promoters of worldly terror

Will know just how much we care.

A war we declare on a group unknown.

They will pay dearly as we set the tone.

We pledge to find and destroy all that is dark.

We will not forget this searing mark.

Those who would keep shadows hidden from sight

Will find us eager and ready to fight.

No longer will there be safety in hate.

Evil and terror we will eliminate.

We will look past color, culture, and prayer.

Each life we will examine with precious care.

But if terror is the basis of your belief,

You will feel the full fury of our grief.

Nations will unite at last,

Leaving behind their troubled past.

Call to your neighbors and hold their hand.

This world is everyone’s home, life, and land.

Shadows at first light were aimed at our hearts

Only to find that we are more than our parts

September 11, two thousand and one,

The New War has just begun.