unfathomable images
the graceful glide
engulfed by the spire
in a roar of golden orange
horribly beautiful
perversely mesmerizing
obscene
devastating images
torrents of humanity
raining down
desperation their only escape
masses of humanity
racing
to outrun the unbelievable
praying
to be delivered from the inconceivable
traumatic images
shrines of free commerce
consumed
by the unbearable weight
of their fragile significance
plummeting to earth
in a cloud of self-destruction
heartbreaking images
screaming
dazed
terrified souls
consumed
by the unbearable weight of the moment
staggering onward
to outdistance the surging roll
of all-engulfing
pulverized aftermath
courageous images
battered
determined
tireless heroes
those who were called
who served unselfishly
some
who gave the ultimate service
haunting images
color
gender
ethnicity
wiped away
from the ashen-grey faces
of the traumatized throngs
now just masks of calamity
all made equal
by horror and grief
one nation
under siege
inconsolable
with tragedy and sorrow
for all
unforgettable images
burned into our hearts
We were both on the same wavelength, weren’t we? Your poem is beautiful…and the photo is stunning! Your words spoke volumes.
Beautiful photograph and a very moving poem.
We all shared in your grief on that terrible day.
Dominus vobiscum
nicely done… “lest we forget” is on my mothers stone on her grave….1946….sept 11 also reminds me of Chile on that date and the overthrow of Allende….
I know your country is not mine. But I will never forget this horrible day. Watching stunned on the T.V. and knowing thatit was going to change the world forever.
Brilliant, moving.
This poem was cleansing in an unsual way. You said it for everyone.
b
Unforgettable images tattooed in our hearts, amen!
a most excellent poem – you emotions,
thoughts, creativity carefully rendered
to encompass this unspeakable moment.
Hi:
Love the work!
I follow your blog and ask that you consider following mine at http://violentcontradiction.blogspot.com/
There is a Networked Blog box to follow it on the blog.
Kindly,
Paul A. Toth
‘..racing
to outrun the unbelievable
praying
to be delivered from the inconceivable’
Your words captured the remembered images and emotions so well. Thank you for sharing this.
this is a very efficient poem – affecting and targeted – conscise and clear.
you have written a fine piece worthy of the occasion and subject
i could pretty much feel the sweat and grit of that day in this…raining torrents of humans…that is where you caught me…really well written rob…
Well, it was your turn, sir.
I woke up today and wanted
to write something worthy of
the ten year anniversary, and
lo I find you have already done
it for me. All I came up with a
bloated haiku, aptly titled:
JUST THE IMAGE WILL.
I love letting you do the
heavy lifting.
I love your haiku Glenn, and its pure simplicity speaks volumes to the heart.
This bit of verse I offer here I actually wrote on the occasion of the 8th vigil, on 9/11/2009. I tried in vain to write something I felt more apt for today’s 10th — instead, I decided to reprise this piece, because it speaks so clearly to the horror that still stirs in my heart, and in nightmares from time to time, when remembering that tragedy…
This is such a wonderful poem for this day. This is a day the world stood still and watched in shock and could not believe it was real. it was almost a movie right out of Hollywood this day but it was not Hollywood that this happened it was real and hard to understand why
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/11/the-sorrow-of-our-times/
We’ll never ever forget.
unforgettable images in our heart….we will remember…always.
Poignant tribute.
Nicely built column of images. I don’t know why anyone should feel under siege, though.
Why should anyone feel under siege Mark, well besides the tragedy of 911, to which I directly referred; we are under siege in the USA 24/7 — from BIG oil, from mindless TV, from soulless advertising, from the parasitical drug companies, from usurious credit card and banking companies, from irresponsible fast food companies, from an army of unscrupulous big business entities, from pollution, from urban overcrowding, from poverty, from manipulative politicians, etc. etc. …
The form and pace of your poem conveys the sense of falling, the tragedy. A fitting tribute.
Beautifully done.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Tragedy befalls the innocent. Is it the last? Is there a remedy?
The innocent fall victim to the evil element Jackie, perhaps because they find it difficult to believe there can be such a malicious nature…
You have captured the tragedy very well… we can only move forward.. with prayers on our lips..
Delicately yet powerfully written..Jae
If we were standing face to face, I’d silently salute you for your words, and we’d nod. Knowing the words that were between unseen and unsaid and still known. Thank you for this poem.
You are most welcome Shanyn — salute…!
Dear Rob; Love how you used the extreme compare and contrast and these lines being etched into my heart as well;
one nation
under siege
inconsolable
with tragedy and sorrow
for all
A fitting memorial filled with dictomy’s pathos.
Yes, tragedy has a way of equalizing, doesn’t it? My favorite part of your work: “color
gender
ethnicity
wiped away
from the ashen-grey faces
of the traumatized throngs
now just masks of calamity
all made equal
by horror and grief”
Beautifully and horrifyingly captured emotions, Rob. Thanks for stopping by my little blog and leaving a quick 160. Always nice to run into another Portlander.
one nation
under siege
inconsolable
with tragedy and sorrow
for all
WOW. You nailed it there. It was such a horrible, horrible day.
Powerful write, Rob…especially poignant is “horribly beautiful”…
This hits like a combo from Tyson. Just as you begin to recover, another blow reigns down to stun again and again.
perversely mesmerizing……..indeed, this offering is that.
Thank you for re-sharing, and reminding us again of those moments, those hours, and the days that followed. May we never forget…
Beautifully executed write–just nailed it
painful reading your painting of words but so grateful to do so. Thank you.