Life collapsed,it once was mine.
I exiled myself to Manhatten isle.
A Castaway and ran away to that place to find some
   type of solace.
Without a home I walked the gritty streets
and had no desire to intertwine again with anyone.
But then,on September 11th,the year 2000,I met one
   who saw the desolation of me...and wrapped a
   blanket of care round my solitary trek,
   like a beam of solar presence.  

The routine in my life at that time
   comprised of lying on the cool grass in Hudson
   Park,counting the number of planes I could see
   within my piece of sky...and wondering while I
   watched those closest to those twin monoliths
   if there would ever be a time that the
   unthinkable could happen.
I passed through them so many times,
   passing through the mall that lay between
   the PATH and D train line,
   having coffee under their massive shadow,
   and even having this caring friend purchase
   a book for me entitled "Journey From Abandonment
   To Healing" at the Borders bookstore at the WTC,
   never dreaming that the collapse and chaos
   that befell and became "ME" would befall so many
   others to become the worlds largest symbol
   of abandonment and suffering.
  
I rode the PATH train so many days
   between Journal Square and 23rd,passing through
   those fated icons of loss.
I even had my friend ask me to try roller-blading
   for the first time in my life,rolling from 23rd
   Street all the way down to the towers.
I remember how beautiful it was that day,the sun
   was glorious,...and upon arrival at the Center,
   there was a large crowd there relaxing at tables
   listening to the soothing expertise of a
   classical guitarist.

The final rememberance of NYC's largest symbol
   is the time I walked through the Winter Garden,
   past those beautifully huge palm trees,
   up the escalator,and through a long walkway
   with awesome views on either side.
There in the center was a lengthy photo exhibit...
   depicting the horrors of other places,
   people scarred by wars,
   ones whose lives were exploded or totally
   eradicated...there...of all places...
It makes me think...how many ways can a life,
   a home,a Heart be destroyed?
I pray to GOD for healing...yes,for myself...
   for all of us.

I am now off the streets,but memory of them stays
   ...along with the rememberance of abandonment,
   loneliness and loss.Then came 9/11/01.
Now...I hold a torch,one that burns for my own
   Heart,...for the One that turned away,...
   for all those whose lives were senselessly
   snuffed out...and for all those whose lives
   will now never be the same...as mine.
Is there someone out there you are neglecting?
Is there someone you turned your back on or are
   not listening to?
Do you fly or wear a flag and yet are forgetting
   that there is someone in your life who you
   should be honoring...someone who needs your love
   ...or forgiveness?
Is there someone who you know or see everyday...
   perhaps even one of the homeless (remember...
   many of them also lost their lives,for many of
   those ones that I shared homelessness with slept
   or asked for assistance down in the dark recesses
   of the subway stations,many of which were part of
   the World Trade Center),that needs your care,
   your ear,your time...along with that quarter you
   have such a hard time letting go of?Chances are,
   they need your time to care and listen a lot
   more than that quarter.

I write this as one who has survived,even after
   being jailed for honestly caring for the One
   who came deepest within my Heart.Long story.
   I am still affected by the worlds coldness and
   am amazed at how so many others invent reasons
   for rationalizing that coldness.Is there a
   difference between flying a plane into a building
   and flying one into someones Heart?
   Hatred and destruction kills and if you survive,
   its residual effects will last the rest of your
   life.It turned me into Street Heart.
I am back on my feet,even this little bit,but my
   Heart has not yet healed,for the One I will
   always Love and miss hasn't the heart to see
   with unselfish eyes,although I pray everyday...
   for that change of Heart.
What the world needs now is Love,to coin a phrase,
   and never before as much as now...today.
I may never win my Love back,the Truth of that Love
   is and was the Truest of my life.Now,pride,
   carelessness,selfishness and denial rule within
   that Heart I came to Love.What of yours?

It is 2 years after 9/11/01.    

Who do you honor?

Who needs your LOVE?

                                 Street Heart

Please show your support for those whose lives are still "Hanging In The Balance".You may purchase numerous items including Broadway tickets and receive discounts on trips to NYC and other worldwide hotels!Much of the money goes to the homeless and hungry.Today,there is a special photo gallery tour of the WTC site and surrounding areas.
Check it out.
www.readio.com/

Many of us know of the many who lost their lives and the surviving families.How easy it is to be unaware of those who were homeless down in the subway terminals and dark recesses of the World Trade Center,ones who had no families to greive, ones who "have no names".I honor them today.I remember...
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

If you find it in your heart and are able, please donate your time or money to either of these sites in rememberance and honor of the forgotten victims of 9/11.

Peace,my friends.

Geoffrey

[This message has been edited by Street Heart (09-11-2003 06:27 PM).]

Where have you been Geoffrey? It's been a while. missed you.

Thank you for this. it's a

Maree

fate is not just
whose cooking  smells good
but which way the wind blows

(Ani DiFranco)