WHY? A 9-11 Question

A near-forgot memory, of an image of a circular rainbow, refracted off a shard of glass or a warped beam, prompted this overdue recollection. Read, and consider...

WHY?

MARK TEAGUE

September eleventh, 2011

 

From the wreckage of her wrist,

And the shards of silver sleeve

Her smoking, ghastly claw gropes for the sky

 

And Tower One, her gown undone,

In chorus, as the Nation grieves

Weeps softly, ever asking only, “Why?”

 

 

“Why must the Haters fear employ?

“Why believe they gain as they destroy,

“Who make Death to rain down from the sky?”

 

“How can they pray to win the day,

“As Manhattan’s millions moan,

“And three thousand, unsuspecting, die?”

 

Though holes in concrete scab and heal,

The holes in our hearts never shall!

Hear this, al Qaeda, our Nation’s angry cry:

 

The diamond ring, refracted

From that gnarly hand impacted

Points at your Soul, and softly mutters, “Why?”

 

You wave your arms, you ullulate,

And for this heinous deed, your god’s name name,

We can but hope, and in that Hope rely

 

That Love may soon usurp your hearts

As our God’s Truths take root, and start

Your healing, wiser then, whispering, “Why?”

 

Author's Note

I had just sat down to breakfast, and was watching Katie Couric mender through the news on the Today show, when a sheaf of paper was thrust in front of her, and the news then and 37 minutes later changed the world. Where were you?

Reviews

[Jack...]

That I believe will always be the question. Nicely done.

[Mark]

Thank you, Jack. It was an horrific day for all, and we can but pray that sometime in the remote future, SOMEthing of good might be realized from it. Did you perceive the central image, that of a rumpled steel hand, reaching up from the Earth, with a refraction-rainbow (perhaps from a shard of glass) suggesting a ring?

[Jack...]

yes, unfortunately I could picture it all. It is one of those mind pictures I'd like to someday be able to forget.

[poetry lover]

Hi, Mark, I was at home making the bed and taking care of the dog when my cousin in Detroit called. He said I should turn on the TV because a terrible tragedy was happening at that time. I will never be quite the same, as many feel.

[December Blaize]

This is the most beautiful and emotional poem I've ever read about that terrible day. You have summed up the nation's feelings as close to perfectly as one can get, since I don't believe a word for that feeling truly exists. It's important that people keep writing about 9/11, so we never forget.

[Michael G.]

A well written emotional piece about an emotional day. Well done, Mark.

[Mark]

Thank you, Michael. It was an horrid day, one which we may one day forgive, but cannot ever forget.

[poetry lover]

Mark, your poem is so expressive of the searing pain you felt and still feel over those dastardly acts. You manage to capture so much in one short poem. ~el

[Jasmine]

Good lord, is this a stunner. Just blooming wonderful. No one could have said it better.

[LinBin]

heartfelt and powerful, a moving read x

[Muse]

A beautiful, and utterly fantastic write! For me this was the life changing event of our generation. As shocking as when Kennedy was shot! I think I cried and was depressed for weeks. I remember waking up my husband, showing him the TV.........I asked, "is this for real?" 100/100

[Tate Morgan]

I think we all lost something that day Our innocence

[Ruth]

Powerful poem Mark...I do not think we have been given all the facts of 9/11 personally...but such tragic loss of life is always going to touch us :(
Wonderful piece
xx

[Ladysue]

oh why indeed???? This is powerful..it was a horrific and shocking day.