One America

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.

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.

— Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.) read “One America,” author unknown, at the CWA Legislative-Political Conference.