Hovering 

Helpless birds 

hovering near but not over 

smoke and fire  

ready to land or lower the line 

and the basket 

to grab a few, however few 

and raise them up into their bellies 

not possible 

But imagine a call from South Tower 

(North Tower, sadly not the case) 

from a survivor – one blessed by the savior, Welles Crowther. 

while trudging down from 78, 

seeing other heroes in full gear, 

uttering the words,  

“For God’s sake, tell your chief, Stairway A is passable!” 

If, if, if they had time to make the call,  

and the call went out to the choppers  

safe in the air, when so many had no such chance 

the loudspeaker screeching: 

“Anyone inside South Tower, get to Stairway A 

It’s passable...tell every floor, you can get down 

even from above the fire...go!” 

And, so it would have been an air rescue 

after all 

A magical staircase down 

made clear by a hovering voice from 

above