navwin » Archives » Reflections on the Web » The Towers Down
Reflections on the Web
Post A Reply Post New Topic The Towers Down Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2003-02-20 12:01 PM



              The Towers Down

              there is no answer
               but the question,
               neither hint nor
               bolt of reason shining
          through the smoke and grit
          the glass, the steel rebuff the eye,
          reject all answers but the one
          the mind will never take
                 there is no answer,
                 please let there be no answer
                 let no hope arise here
        suck imagination dry and
        never let the eye put back
        the random beams, put back
                  the shattered secrets of the steel
                  the glass grit showered out
                  into the smoke of it,
          oh let them lie here mute and real
          because there is no answer
                     but to stop to stare
                     to ask the answer question,
                and to turn away
                from a silent, empty sky



© Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Lady In White
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799
USA
1 posted 2003-02-20 12:07 PM



Ed, thank you.

Jason Lyle
Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438
With my darkling
2 posted 2003-02-20 12:08 PM


And I vote for the imagery,nice job.
Jason

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2003-02-20 12:19 PM


Ed----"to ask the answer question,"     

Justbleu
Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)
4 posted 2003-02-20 12:21 PM


ME LIKES THIS VERY MUCH!!!!

Bridgette

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
5 posted 2003-02-20 12:26 PM


Well stated Ratleader... I'll run with the pack and give you my vote.
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

6 posted 2003-02-20 12:40 PM


vivid and sharp images...a hard topic to capture and do justice...but you have done well poet sir. well done RL.

" ... And think not, that you can direct the course of love ...
if it finds you worthy ...  it then directs your course."

K.Gibran


Peter J Marcroft
Member
since 2003-02-02
Posts 265
York, England
7 posted 2003-02-20 12:45 PM


This is a very nice poem, I am guessing it is in relation to a certain tragedy that occurred in recent years.  Very good imagery and nice rhythm
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
8 posted 2003-02-20 01:53 PM


Yes.... I wrote it on Sept. 14, 2001.... If writing's the word -- maybe I should say I screamed it then.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

9 posted 2003-02-20 01:56 PM


I like the erasurity of these words. (yes, I made that word up)
Chanson
Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559
Up Creek w/Out Paddle
10 posted 2003-02-20 03:30 PM


hummmm....what's the word
I am looking for....

Poignant.

Yes, that's the word.

When you think you have heard it all,
listen more closely.
~Dorene

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
11 posted 2003-02-20 04:25 PM




(big hugggsssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, it is so hard to remember this day and it brings me tears every time I think back, this is a powerful reaction to this tragedy, you have my vote, you always captivate the emotions and moments so well, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ed, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
12 posted 2003-02-21 02:22 PM


Whether written or screamed, it's excellent work.*S*
Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
13 posted 2003-02-21 03:09 PM


I have to really agree with  Suthern on her comments this is darn powerful writing.

          
~* Carpe' Diem *~  

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
14 posted 2003-02-22 02:00 PM


WOW Ed!!
What stark images you present here...
Wonderful write.
~Hugs~

~ Trace my body with your words..
And in doing so, you touch my heart. ~

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
15 posted 2003-02-22 02:26 PM


The forcefulness of your words has tremendous impact! Very effective writing--on a very emotional and catastrophic event.

Warm hugs,
EA

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

16 posted 2003-02-22 06:59 PM


Yeah, I like this...I do...

K

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

17 posted 2003-02-22 07:20 PM


Excellent write here Ed.
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
18 posted 2003-02-22 10:42 PM



Ed,

Very powerful. A wonderful job of capturing this horrific event.


Hugs, Pat


..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
19 posted 2003-02-22 10:46 PM


cast my vote on this one..it's message of the no answer and the empty space where people hedged their dreams...how life is a dream, a rude one


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
20 posted 2003-02-22 10:55 PM


In hope,
that towers once born
might rise
in righteousness
just once

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
21 posted 2003-02-23 12:34 PM


Ed, this touched me so much, I don't know what else to say.
You have my vote, Sir.

Heart Hugs,
Ethel

Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
22 posted 2003-02-23 07:37 AM


An impressive write. Good job!
Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
23 posted 2003-02-24 12:32 PM


Ratleader:  What impact this has!  It conjured up so many images from September 11th, 2001! Excellent work.

Betty Lou Hebert

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
24 posted 2003-02-24 02:28 AM



I'm liking this one too.
Well done, Ed.

"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
25 posted 2003-02-24 02:34 AM


Well done, Ed. The visual presentation hit me as representing an unstable structure, one whose collapse is imminent.
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
26 posted 2003-02-24 07:15 AM


A silent empty sky indeed.. This is very good, Ed..
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
27 posted 2003-02-24 09:09 AM


Yes! Yea, Midnight! That's just what I was trying to do with the poem's physical structure, and also trying to keep the reader off-balance with the twisted punctuation.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
28 posted 2003-02-25 08:42 AM


Well, I'd make up a word for this too, but alas, the squirrel dude already took it.

Sheesh!

Ed

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
29 posted 2003-02-25 11:33 AM


I like this one and it is very timely
Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
30 posted 2003-02-25 11:53 PM


I first was drawn by the title of your poem, then by the structure of your poem which I thought resembled a falling tower (good job), and then I was impressed by the content which, for me, captured very well the shock and the so many unanswered questions endured after the media images first began to appear on the internet and on the television and still remain unanswered today. Your poem gets a vote from me because I think it's a very nice gesture and poem that you've made here to have represent our book in remembrance of this most tragic event in our recent history.

-Bob

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
31 posted 2003-02-26 12:10 PM


Bob, that's absolutely touching -- and exactly what I was hoping to accomplish by writing it. Bless you for this comment, which pretty much makes my day.

Ed

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
32 posted 2003-02-26 08:54 PM


Ed...Powerful words full of emotion. Enjoyed...Paul

"To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you"

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
33 posted 2003-03-14 07:09 AM



SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert
34 posted 2003-03-14 08:09 AM


Visual and powerful. Gets my vote. We need these reminders in case complacency rears its head again = Lest We Forget.
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
35 posted 2003-03-14 04:40 PM


Much feeling here.  Joyce
Greeneyes
Deputy Moderator 50 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind
36 posted 2003-03-14 08:38 PM





hugssss you.....feeling this....
Lauren~

Here I am
Running after dreams ~
I made it through another lonely night
Thinking of you
I know I should be strong
I just can’t say ~goodbye~(LR)

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

37 posted 2003-03-17 05:29 AM


I understand you screamed it Ed.

from a silent, empty sky
A great ending.

Count my vote.

Maree


Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
38 posted 2003-03-17 01:34 PM


IMPACT!!! You batted the ball outta the park!

Warm hugs,
EA

ljossberir
Member
since 2003-05-04
Posts 81
Ny, USA
39 posted 2003-05-08 11:47 PM


wow ratleader, this is great. I dont ever have to watch those TV recaps with the lame anchormen ever again, ill just read this poem - you took me there.
Beautiful.
-matt

ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
40 posted 2003-05-12 12:19 PM


very thoughtful of you, enjoyed the read


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
41 posted 2003-05-13 02:05 AM


Welcome to the book, Ed!!
Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Reflections on the Web » The Towers Down

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary