A Few Thoughts About 911 2011: Ten Years Later

As we approach the ten year memorial of 911, Americans and fellow global neighbors remember extinguished lives of individuals who died in that day's crashes and from the toxic atmosphere after the towers' collapse.  These lives represent a cross section of humanity. The were also acquaintances, co-workers, friends, family, community.

When San Diego's poetry community came together to grieve, Marc Kokinos, a local spoken word Open Mic host for a weekly gathering called Poetic Brew,  invited us to create poems, songs, and inspirational perspectives. We sat in heavy silence at the start of the memorial. The room filled to overflow as we held each other and sat united at Claire de Lune Cafe. We were in community, group healing, group consolation. 

Several guest artists were asked to speak. When I took the stage, it seemed as if a weight had settled about my shoulders. Struggling beneath the burden of my peers, this is my poem presented that evening.

 

 

Statistics listing aspects of the death toll continue to change according to most websites authors, due to newer identification technologies. Based on a majority of information sources  however, the total today remains above  2,5oo lives lost, with the U.S. accounting for a majority of casualties. This number reflects innocent bystanders, direct impact victims, perpetrators, and last but not least, the heroes. 

One can become overwhelmed with the number of various "information" sources, types of data, and media spin when searching WWW sites and pages; however, a worth while site listed below offers names, DOB, photos, and additional information that puts a humane face on raw data. It is a CNN information site: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/lists/by-name/page102.html                               

Admittedly, a couple of minutes into viewing this site, tears began to flow uncontrollably. 

 As with most intense memories of  devastation events surrounded by pain, sorrow and confusion, in which loss occurs on a scale too big to measure, consider this cautionary note: one's will to remember can expose raw emotion that has not yet healed. 

We seem to be in a pre-presidential election toxic frenzy lately, a miasma of partisan negativity. In this time of political upheaval and warfare, may we be at peace with each other on Sunday 9/11/11. It will be a difficult national reflection.

Dona Nobis Pacem,
Delores Fisher