Child of 9-11

a poem for Christina-Taylor Green, who was born on September 11, 2001 and died at the age of nine, shot to death ...

  

Child of 9-11, beloved,

I bring this lily, lay it down

here at your feet, and eiderdown,

and all soft things, for your gentle spirit. 

I bring this psalm -- I hope you hear it.

 

Much love I bring -- I lay it down

here by your form, which is not you,

but what you left this shellshocked world

to help us learn what we must do

to save another child like you.

 

Child of 9-11, I know

you are not here, but watch afar

from distant stars, where angels rue

the evil things some mortals do.

I also watch; I also rue.

 

And so I make this pledge and vow:

though I may weep, I will not rest

nor will my pen fail heaven’s test

till guns and wars and hate are banned

from every shore, from every land.

 

Child of 9-11, I grieve

your gentle life, cut short. Bereaved,

what can I do, but pledge my life

to saving lives like yours? Belief

in your sweet worth has led me here ...

 

I give my all: my pen, this tear,

this lily and this eiderdown,

and all soft things my heart can bear;

I bring them to your final bier,

and leave them with my promise, here.