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VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon

0 posted 2002-08-11 11:30 AM



Are There Shadows?

are there shadows in the world
where once lives had been

are there shadows
are there shadows
where did they begin

in the morning at their rising
business as usual
met the day

little in their knowing
they’d be going away

a stop light
a train whistle
a honking horn
echoed scorn

business as usual
on that awful, fateful morn

deliver little Johnny,
“Good-bye” to little Sue,
push the elevator button
just like you always do

all your hopes and aspirations
rose into the rising mist
in steam it was carried
or was it smoke in the list

of those two great towers
that rose as emblems, on this earth,
crumbled to the breaches
of where they’d given birth

dreams and visions, now in shadows,
beneath paper and steel
shredding each element,
in our mourning might we heal?


©August 11, 2002


Also, please see 'song version' 3rd post down.



Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

[This message has been edited by VAS (08-11-2002 12:05 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Virginia Salter - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2002-08-11 11:31 AM



Could it be that we are almost one year to the day that terrible tragedy occurred?  How fast it has been for those of us who could only watch...how slow for those who suffered the real losses...

yes, Virginia, there are shadows....

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2002-08-11 11:51 AM


Virginia

Shadows are sometimes dark reminders of sorrow, as in your poem...yet they are also only made when there is light.  I am glad for them, otherwise there would always be darkness.  

The sad meaning behind your post made my heart clench...
"in our mourning might we heal?"  Yes!

VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
3 posted 2002-08-11 12:04 PM


In moments after posting this, I determined it might be a song. See below the ideas I have for chorus/verses. Comments regarding that arrangement would be greatly appreciated.

Are There Shadows?

Chorus:  are there shadows in the world
where once lives had been

are there shadows
are there shadows
where did they begin

Verse 1: in the morning at their rising
business as usual
met the day

little in their knowing
they’d be going away
(Chorus)

Verse 2: a stop light
a train whistle
a honking horn
echoed scorn

business as usual
on that awful, fateful morn
(Chorus)

Verse 3: deliver little Johnny,
“Good-bye,” to little Sue,
push the elevator button
just like you always do

Verse 4: all your hopes and aspirations
rose into the rising mist
in steam it was carried
or was it smoke in the list

of those two great towers
that rose as emblems, on this earth,
crumbled to the breaches
of where they’d given birth
(Chorus)

Verse 5: dreams and visions, now in shadows,
beneath paper and steel
shredding each element,
in our mourning, might we heal?
(Chorus 2x)

©August 11, 2002
Virginia Salter

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
4 posted 2002-08-11 01:40 PM


Virginia,  thank you for the work that you
obviously have put into this poem.  It is
a beautiful expression of a day NONE of us
will ever forget....

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
5 posted 2002-08-11 02:15 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Virginia, it too breaks my heart to see so many standing in the shadows after this tragedy and I can't help but wonder how they must feel! (sad sigh) This is powerful, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Virginia, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
6 posted 2002-08-11 06:57 PM


You did a terrific job catching  the feelings of those who will always remember...
and it did read like a song.

hugs
M

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
7 posted 2002-08-11 07:03 PM


I love the poem and especially the song version of it...
Wonderful rememberances of a sad day that none of us will ever forget.
Thanks for sharing it with us
~ sad remembering hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
8 posted 2002-08-12 10:16 AM


You are in the remebering ...

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