Off in the distance, I see the building,
From blocks away, the destruction shows.
More devastating than the media can show,
I thought of the innocent, who are still there.

All the innocent lives taken that day,
Most never knew what happened to them.
Their lives taken from loved ones,
Who never will have a chance to hold them.

As I walk the streets,
Inside the perimeter,
All around were the people of Oklahoma,
And other states as well, all wanting to help.

They were pitching in,
Helping in their own way.
For whichever personal reason they had.
They joined together as Oklahomans do.

That goal we all know,
Was to lend a helping hand.
So those with the grim task,
Can go inside the devastation and do a job.

That job we all know has to be done.
We keep up our hopes more will be saved.
Fighting the feelings deep down,
Nobody wants to talk about.

As I look at all the buildings,
It is hard looking at the devastation.
Windows were gone, walls were cracked.
How many lives touched, we will never know.

I stood at the corner,
Looked up at the towers.
All the windows were gone.
And I ask myself "WHY?"

Why would someone do this,
Such a unimaginable act?
Taking away so much,
All we ask is "WHY"

Yet, as I walk around,
There is a feeling in the air,
Throughout this devastation one thing is sure,
The sprit of Oklahoma will not be broken.

ANTHONY STOKES
after working on the Oklahoma City bombing scene