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 Written By Cheryl Sawyer A professor at University of Houston Clear Lake, Texas; in the counseling department 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 God cares for you - - care for others ! ! !