**"9-11 A POEM FROM WITHIN"**

[reasonrhymer]

......................





"9-11 A POEM FROM WITHIN"



I Watched them bring us flowers
I Watched them cry at our graves
I cried about our wake-up call-- 
missed by the free and the brave.

Working in the first tower,
hands on computer keys,
no time to call my wife or kids,
no time to get on my knees.

The  body shred out in pieces
the hell's heat was so insane
tried to find the head for thoughts
but fire burned the brain
                                                               
Shocked at the site of bodies burning,
mine among the rest,
I cursed my God in heaven
this journey's proof,  I'd flunked his test

I rose above the smoky skies
the second one's coming in,
had no hands to cover no ears,
heard the shouts and screams "within."

I Watched them bring us flowers
I Watched them cry at our graves
I cried about our wake-up call-- 
missed by the free and the brave.

I heard Your Life Flashes Before You,
Viewed My Life On A Broader Screen,
the history of our human race,
and things that are obscene.

It started "without" sticks and stones,
for disputes among us brothers,
they became our spears and arrows,
to silence our fear of others. 

The wars I watched in horror,
the tears  that atom bombs bring, 
how could I be accountable?   
I did not do these things!

I was just an average ordinary guy,
with dreams and hopes for me, 
neighbors, nations and the world at large,
were just to big to see.

A gangs stray bullet hit some kid,
this child I'd never meet,
why are these scenes being shown to me?
I live on a quiet street. 

Drug dealers on the corner,
selling to anyone who'll pay his fee
I don't drink, I don't do drugs! 
this has nothing to do with me!

Some kids can’t write-- some can't read,
I've got a Ph.D.
My kids go to private school,
please God!  won't you let me be?

Hurried the morning of the "Inferno"
pushed the wife out of my way,
the neighbor smiled as I was leaving, 
no response, as I sped away.

Passed a poor man outside the lobby,
lying in his own waste,
no insight into his world,
no sympathy upon his fate.   

I Watched them bring us flowers
I Watched them cry at our grave
I cried about our wake-up call-- 
missed by the free and the brave.

The scenes passed by for quite awhile
I tried not to understand,
I screamed out, I'm the victim here!
I'd fall if I could stand.

Thought I'd just lost my body
my soul was another thing,
wished I could do it over,
was the song I tried to sing.

Woke up the next morning, 
still weary of what I had dreamed,
It wasn’t far from the naked truth, 
of life in the current scene. 

“Waking Up” may be our only chance,
to save this world from the grave,
take this as a wake up call,
it's time we change our ways.   






rr


...

[/i]

**Note:  Nominated for December 2008 POTM**

[davidmm]

I was impressed by this, reasonrhymer.
You managed to hit the right 'voice' for your narration - not too detached and not too sentimental. The use of repetition is well handled to emphasise the point and you have certainly written a POTM nominated work.

[jeannerené]

George,

I recall having read your poem 9-11 A Poem from Within at the Poetry in Color Forum and was very happy to see that you had posted it here at PH. I agree with David, it strikes a good balance ... allowing the reader to intelligently rather than over emotionally react to and ponder the message behind the poem.

I truly enjoy reading your poetry rr.... and you do live up to your screen name.

Thank you for posting...

.j.

[reasonrhymer]

Thanks David, 

This was sort of epic story for me.  911 hit pretty hard on most of us, hopefully it's not missed by the "free and the brave." 

Jeanne,

I wrote this a few years back when I was writing these super long pieces that most people don't have the patience for. 

Every year around Sept 11, I take it out and rework, reword some parts to make it an easier read and hopefully communicate the point of responsibility we all have to see that we do create a better future.  I hope some of that comes through and it wakes us up to see that we all have a part to play on where we take this ship (earth) it is really up to the few "free and the brave" cuz the chained and the wimps would just as soon take us to hell (9-11). 

Man, after reading the stuff I just wrote, I should have been a preacher on a pulpit.  I guess that is the reason I write poetry.  And I guess all of us are preaching something in our poetry.  I could go on and on, but even preachers need to sleep sometimes. 

May the force of the free and the brave be with you always,

aman  rr   

[ladonna]

I am surprised that so few people have commented on this rr. You have chosen a difficult subject and written about it in your own readable way.

[Kazmit]

I was taken aback by its length but I immediately saw through it. 9/11, people are generally afraid to mention it, saying it's not the right time. When is the right time. Now.

You provoked a lot of emotion in this piece. It affected everyone, but we can only guess what the victims thought about in those few precious second. The portrayal in here, the voice and flash backs and the meaning, were astonishing and plausible.