9/12 - September and After

           

Photo by Thomas Ward

On September 12th, 2001, we all went to work.Those of us who remiained unhurt physically. During a break from a bucket brigade on "the pile" I jotted down the following lines. They speak to a unity of purpose, an outpouring of good will and a reminder to us today that this spirit of 9/11 must not be forgotten.

Despite our turmoil politcally, America is about "we" not me. The United States is about "US" and not any one faction, family or clan. It pains me today to see people die in the land of liberty because of what ultimately amounts to selfishness and greed. 

What I remember about September 11th, 2001 is: Heroism. Unity. Trust. And an oupouring of support and grief from the whole world. 

I know it's unrealsitic to live in a constant state of "Kum By Ya". However, some would say that the spirit to do so is the Holy Spirit. We embraced it in New York City during 9/11, in New Orelans during Katrina, and now in Houston, Texas and all over Florida after Harvey and Irma. Why must it take a disaster, man made or natural, to remind people of what we are really all about?

9.12.01

I join a human chain that trails

Into the heart of ground zero

We pass remains 

Hand over hand, bit by bit

Atlas, Hercules, Achilles

Stand shoulder to shoulder 

With ordinary people like me

Moving a rubble mountain

It is a lovely day, bright with sunshine

Men and women work together

On this most privileged task

And I feel the somber touch of

Each sacred 

Smashed computer keyboard

Every length of twisted steel or

Bucket of smashed concrete

Passed from gloved hand to gloved hand

Once belonged to soaring monuments

Born in our youth

And now…

Today I work to find

Those trapped beneath 

Joining the effort to set them

Free.

My Old Man

My old man taught me how to be safe in high places so that I could eventulally come down and show others how to do the same.

September 8, 2017 Greenville NC

It doesn’t seem like nine years ago today that dad left home for the final time. I think of them both, mother and father, every day, but especially on a day such as this when I have moved so far on down the road of life without them. My late blooming ways puts me at peace, relatively speaking, here in my new home with my wife. I look around constantly and just think of how pleased they both would be. Of how blessed they made me. They taught me my life lessons. I finally learned them. Thank you both. Thinking of you, daddy.

Slater