by Tony Radford

It was early fall when he hit the mall – a year past Y2K,
at a jewelry store on the second floor – was a final bill to pay.

He’d bought the ring that he planned to bring to his love – a big surprise,
some wine, a rose, romantic prose – then a question would arise.

They’d set the stage at an early age – on the playground after class
where he won her hand with a plastic band and a diamond made of glass.

Again he’d be on bended knee – just like his last appeal,
the way he did when they were kids – but now the ring was real.

A plan he’d spark at a local park – under blue Manhattan sky,
she’d have no clue what he planned to do – just lunch with her favorite guy.

As he left the mall – a frantic call, “I’m in trouble, please come quick!
There’s fire and ash from a massive crash – the smoke is really thick!”

A second blast while pleas were cast – then silence stoked his fear,
he called her phone – but a busy tone was all that met his ear.

When he made it through to Tower Two there was havoc on the ground,
panic, screams and rescue teams – debris was raining down.

A scene from Hell – he reached the well with a thousand stairs to tread,
he coughed and choked from heat and smoke – but still he forged ahead.

He wasn’t fazed by fires that blazed or the opposite stampede,
he was mission-bound, she must be found – he’d die or he’d succeed.

A deserted floor – he reached the door where her office used to be
and despite his doubt that she made it out – he hoped she’d gotten free.

The door was blocked, but it wasn’t locked – so he kicked it off the frame,
with a runner’s stride, he rushed inside and began to yell her name.

The room’s décor was about the floor and beams from up above
had fallen down and formed a mound and beneath it all – his love.

Like Superman – with just his hands, he tossed them one by one,
a man possessed – he wouldn’t rest until the job was done.

His task revealed a piece of steel that weighed a ton or more,
with all the sway, had given way and pinned her to the floor.

He did his best to clear the rest – then tried to pull her free,
but her pain inside intensified – so he had to let her be.

He propped her head with the coat he shed and by her side he lay,
she loved so much to feel his touch – her pain would fade away.

She felt repose as he held her close and he – devoid of strife,
would much prefer he die with her than live a separate life.

And with that thought, the ring he brought – he held where she could see,
“Please be my wife – I’ll pledge my life for all eternity!”

Tired and weak – she tried speak, but words were not required,
she had a glow that let him know – their bond, she too desired.

As lovers kissed through teary mist – she did her very best
to fight the pain and reach the chain that lay upon her chest.

She pulled it free to let him see – it held a tiny band,
the plastic toy a little boy once placed upon her hand.

He sat and gazed – was so amazed she’d kept it all this time,
from ages-past – that jewel of glass he’d purchased for a dime.

He never knew she moved it to a spot right near her heart
and kept it there – a secret prayer they’d never be apart.

Words not told since eight years old would bring a fact to light,
that solitaire would not compare – it could never shine as bright.

While lying there, a happy pair would plan their wedding date,
but then depart when all went dark – the time
10:28.