They Ascend III
by Aurelio Zucco
Title
They Ascend III
Artist
Aurelio Zucco
Medium
Photograph - Digital Art - Photography
Description
Image and words copyrighted by Aurelio Zucco. Originally I wrote the following poem as a tribute to the fallen firefighters of 9/11 but it really could apply to all first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice to save others:
THEY ASCEND
Against the throng, descending to escape the death throes of a massive superstructure
Against the instinct for self-preservation
They Ascend
Against the acrid smoke and enveloping darkness
Against the uncertainty of what they will find up there...
They Ascend
Against the brunt of bunker gear
Against oxygen tanks that press heavy on their backs
They Ascend
Because bunker gear and oxygen tanks can't weigh down wings buoyed by courage
And halos shine brightest in the darkness...
Even now, when the trusses and tribulations of that fateful day
Have been reduced to dust and memory...
Still, They Ascend
Their names read aloud, echoes of solemn intonations
Soaring above reflecting pools and waterfalls and rising forever in our hearts...
Ascending still...but then, isn't that what angels do?
Uploaded
June 12th, 2014
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Comments (29)
Darin Williams
This photo is such an excellent piece of art alone. The design and layout of the tribute as a whole is stunning. Your poem is so beautiful and heart-wrenching. All of it is incomparable. l/f
Kimberlee Baxter
Aurelio, I return again and again to read this beautiful poetry of yours! Love the contrast of the physical drudgery and horrors of fighting in a war comapared against the beauty of the human spirit, of courage undaunted...warriors who will not be deterred no matter the circumstances or sacrifice! Let us never forget neither the warriors who die in battle, nor those that come back, often wounded in spirit! Love this work to commemorate our veterans! Thank you for sharing this! Fave! L/F/FB!
Nick Boren
These are very touching words Aurelio... and lest us never forget our fallen heroes... especially on the eve of 9/11. fv