Sunday, September 11, 2011

War, Remembrance













War, Remembrance

So this is how it begins:
A rain of rubble
From the sky,

A field seeded
with grief,
A five sided fire.

Ten years and still
We strain to understand
A rain from high aeries,

Covering the country
In the silence of sadness
And grief.

How does it end, and when?
We turn again inward,
Searching our hearts

To discern how hatred
Rains like feathers
From the sky.

9 comments:

  1. Lovely tribute, Karen. Interesting that the readings at Mass today had a theme of forgiveness. Our priest was sure to point out that forgiveness does not mean forgetfulness.
    My mind lingers with the poignant image in your final stanza.

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  2. We had the same readings, Jeanne, and I thought the same thing. I also came up with my own definition of forgiveness, which is "letting go of hatred." 70 time 7!

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  3. You have really captured it, Karen. I love the circularity of the rain image. Ultimately, it is the rain that cleanses all,for which we are thankful.

    Kat

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  4. Thanks, Kat. I find the difference in poems written now and poems written then very interesting. I should think about adding something about a cleansing rain. You know, a poem's never finished!

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  5. I like the idea of hatred raining like feathers. Maybe if we can see it manifested so clearly we'll be more able to sweep it away.

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  6. To this day, the images still upset me. Your poem speaks of the pain, the struggle to come to terms with it still. Thanks for the poem.

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  7. Wonderful opening, and I admire you for finding words.

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  8. I live 911 every single day in Detroit and no one even cares, not them from other places or them who live here.

    NYC was a great tragedy but remember the body count was not 2700 you have to add the 7000 members of the military and the 150,000 foreign civilians we have helped to kill in thee aftermath of that day in September and realize our hands are not as clean as we would wish. This will never end. We are no longer determined to end it or angry enough to force it to a close.

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