BY KAYLA A. GILBERT

The flag was still there …

The quiet day so normal and fair; on top of the building the flag was there.

People shuffled in their usual own way, people prepared for a normal, long day.

Then up in the sky, the clouds ripped in two. People were dumbfounded — not knowing what to do.

One plane emerged from above and rammed into the building we all came to love.

A crash broke the silence that used to be, and everyone on the streets weren’t prepared for what they were about to see.

An icy chill crept up each one’s spine, wasn’t this country made out of liberty and beauty divine?

Then another plane crashed into the building which made two, people reached out to help, really knowing there was nothing they could do.

Everyone began to flee. Who could have done this? Who could it be?

People scurried with mud clots in their hair. On top of the building the flag was still there.

Booms shook the day and frightened the night — what this city was, wasn’t the same sight.

Dressed in soot we all hummed in song, even as this happened, America remained strong.

There was a feeling of terror, as we all watched on, "America the Beautiful" was not the same song.

Our hearts do go out to those who have died, the ones who were brave or the ones who just plain cried.

But all of this time, as ash filled the air, on top of the building the flag was still there.

Kayla A. Gilbert, 11, put this on the Internet after the terrorist attacks. She has won many school writing contests.