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Open Poetry #45
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jbstillwater
Member
since 2009-07-03
Posts 216
Albuquerque, New Mexico

0 posted 2009-09-12 03:34 PM






(My Tribute to the souls that perished, 9/11)

My Yuletide poem,
written early that year
Coming in from old Sanibel Beach
Brushing sea shells from my hair
I was inspired by island surf
tangling them into place
Yes,

I wrote about selfless giving,
candy laced
lulled by island breezes
whispering "life is good."

My rhyme
Born by sweet summer-glow
coconuts dashed
Laid bare in their milky wine

Written too early
Undone by passion, yearning
for my soul to fly,
as I ran up the shore
No care in the world,
nothing
save foot prints
of Blue Heron, Egret
along side my own

Did I write too early?
A September morning,
just 'round the bend
Unknown to all
killing the after-glow
from my tropical lair

The castles fell
My watch, shattered by photos
of smokey horror
Wheelchairs, heroes amidst
on that island, not my island,
our island

A man carried a women,
drowning in her own blood
"He saved my life!"

My Yuletide poem,
written early
I on my piece of sand,
had not yet witnessed
True compassion,
the charity of humanity
challenged

Delicate foot prints
of those souls
forever,
Memorialized
Not on a sandy beach,
captured in the wind
with their dreams placed perfectly
within all of our hearts.



© Copyright 2009 Janet K. Brennan - All Rights Reserved
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
1 posted 2009-09-12 11:02 PM


If I were to quote all the lines that I appreciated in your poem, I would have to quote the entire poem. Each one of the 9/11 poems I have read are special in their own way ~ as is yours, Jan. The stark contrast between the sandy beach and the smoking hell of the tumbling towers is poetically effective.

The horror and tradgedy of it all still brings tears to us all.

These are a few of my favourite lines ~

"The castles fell
My watch, shattered by photos
of smokey horror
Wheelchairs, heroes amidst
on that island, not my island,
our island"

"Delicate foot prints
of those souls
forever,
Memorialized
Not on a sandy beach,
captured in the wind
with their dreams placed perfectly
within all of our hearts."

The healing continues...


Linda

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2009-09-13 09:24 AM


Dear Janet, this really took me in powerfully. The shock of such events hits even more when it hits like a lightning in the blue skies.

You described this with incredible mastery. Hauntingly intense!

Love,
Margherita

Heart2Heart
Senior Member
since 2009-05-15
Posts 738
Scotland/Norway
3 posted 2009-09-13 03:03 PM


After having read many heartfelt poems on the horrific tragedy of 9/11, it strikes (same as Linda mentions), that they are unique but so different. A lovely lament and tribute.  
Katriona

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
4 posted 2009-09-13 05:01 PM


a very moving and beautiful tribute Janet.. expressed so very well.  May peace be with those perished.

Bisous du Paris
RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

jbstillwater
Member
since 2009-07-03
Posts 216
Albuquerque, New Mexico
5 posted 2009-09-14 03:14 PM


Thanks, guys

Well, it really did happen for me that way.  I had gone down to Sanibel Island for a few weeks and had already started writing a Christmas poem for my Christmas Cards....so oblivious that anything that horrendous could happen before Yuletide actually arrived.  And then when it did happen, my Christmas poem was just a piece of fluff.

"Not on my island, but our island"

No cards that year!

Jan

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