"For Our World" a poem by Mattie Stepanek

“For Our World” ~ a 9/11 poem by Mattie Stepanek

For Our World

by Mattie Stepanek

We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment…
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment…
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment…
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice…
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment…
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek ©
September 11, 2001

Hope Through Heartsongs
Hyperion, 2002
Just Peace: A Message of Hope
Andrews McMeel, 2006

Mattie Stepanek was 11 years old when he wrote this poem on the day of 9-11.

During Mattie’s ‘almost 14 years’ of life, he penned seven NY Times bestselling books of Heartsongs poetry and peace essays, and served as an ambassador for many peace and disability-related organizations.

Mattie died in 2004 due to complications of a rare neuromuscular disease. You can learn more about Mattie and his foundation at The Mattie J. T. Stepanek Foundation
.