By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2020

First published in The Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Spring 2020 Edition

Dedicated to all those who Boston heroes who overcame terrorism on Patriot’s Day, 2013 with love, unity and tenacious resolve

A city of patriots, proven and true,
From first responders to men in blue,
You sewed wounds of hate with stitches of love,
Staunching the bleeding, hovering above,

Angels of light defying terror and hate,
You did not for one moment flinch or hesitate,
Selflessly risking your lives to save those of others,
A band thicker than blood, united as brothers,

Your heroic acts of kindness, resilience and grace,
Inspired people worldwide to thrive, hope and embrace,
That those under attack need not succumb to forces of fear,
Aspiring rather to the noblest of what we hold dear,

In the proud tradition of Boston’s own Paul Revere,
You signaled the world to fight together without fear,
Those who foment division, stoking cruelty and hate,
Vanquishing their evil, whisking them to their fate,

May your heroic example be followed everywhere,
May peoples battling terrorism overcome and persevere,
May the amputees emerge with spirits brighter and stronger,
May God bless and preserve our country’s freedom yet longer. Live life Boston Strong!