As 9/11 approaches, I struggle to piece together my disjointed thoughts about what that day meant to me and this nation. All the words have been said and all the feelings articulated in so many venues. That day changed me as it did you. It caused great introspection of my religious values, my political beliefs, my outlook on life. It still does to this day.
On this 10th anniversary of one of America’s darkest moments, I decided to try to weave these thoughts into some type of poetic form. I hope you get something from it, as I did writing it. Maybe comfort, maybe understanding, maybe just reflection. But join with me in honoring those brave souls whose lives that day forever changed or so unjustly ended.
Buildings burning
Faint hopes yearning
Suspension of reality
From devastation totality
Find small relief
From incalculable grief
Understanding so little
This horrific transmittal
Sent from on high
Through transparent sky
From hate obscure
We will inure
To bitter facts
And heinous acts
This terrible deed
Some heroes breed
In harbor kept
Our lady wept
But torch still shining
Our will defining
We have not cowered
Nay, now empowered
This testament of love
To those fallen from above
For them we cast our lot
Memorialize this spot
Now bellow we world
With stars and stripes unfurled
To salve the brutal sting
Say all, “Let Freedom Ring!”
See now the Phoenix rise
And claim its vaunted prize
Of liberty still strong
Among the faithful throng.
Al Hood – Sept 2011
The Cvillean 
Really well written. There have been some lovely songs and poems written about this day, one of my favourites is by Leonard Cohen, The day that they wounded New York. I will never forget the day, I was at home and heard something on the news about the first airplane, and then watched in horror as the second plane hit the towers. Instantly the world knew that was no accident.
Every time I see that footage my heart aches. That will never change.
A moving poem, Al.
Thanks, Tilly Bud.
Hard to articulate the myriad of feelings on that day, but you did a great job.
I tried. Thanks, Jodi
Wonderful words straight from the heart
Thanks, I think we all share these sentiments.
Well written and timely. I remember watching on television and seeing a plane smash into one of the buildings. I have never forgotten the shock I felt. The sad thing is it was a blind hateful and stupid act which killed many people of various faiths and background, including a significant number of muslims. The waste of it all, and the damage it did to world relations stil haunts us but hopefully we are learning to live with each other again
It was certainly the most hateful thing I have seen in my lifetime. I hope it remains so.
Very moving – thank you for sharing this, Al.
And thank you for caring.
Thats beautifully written.
Thanks for reading and the comment, Louella.
Let us not forget the other places destroyed that day, including the Pentagon and the Shanksville disaster. Nice poem about a day I want to forget. Dianne
Certainly not forgetting them. Of all the many, many heroes that day, the people on Flight 93 stand out above all. Incredible bravery and self-sacrifice – the ultimate sacrifice.
I was missing your poetry, Al. This was beautiful–tragic, hopeful, heart-felt. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
No, thank you for reading. I thought I would step away from my “junk” poetry and try to do it from feeling. Such a difficult subject.
Very, very touching and beautiful. Thank you for this.
That’s a high compliment coming from an accomplished writer like you and it is much appreciated. I just wanted to do it justice.
Still brings tears to the eyes – after all these years. Thank you for helping put thoughts in mind.
I wondered how people might react to the words on the page. I wasn’t trying to stir up emotion as much as a remembrance of heartbreak, heroism and selflessness. Thanks for your comments as always, Bernice.