For 30 years, a vibrant community in Lower Manhattan has thrived in the shadow of the towers. Drawn by excellent schools, green parks, Hudson river views, and relative quiet in a bustling city, thousands of people call downtown "home." On September 11th 2001 many things changed, but the community survived. It has also faced unique social, emotional, and physical challenges as it transformed overnight from a beautiful family neighborhood to Ground Zero. The poems, essays, and art presented in this book are the voices of this community-one that has struggled with the guilt of survival, the meaning of home, the push to rebuild, and fear. The contributions are from people of all ages and professions, from writers, architects, and teachers, to students, parents, and children. The proceeds from this book will be given to downtown schools and local charities.