today is a day for remembering,
putting back together something broken;
a day of service,
but these hands can only make, not undo.
we remember how accepting death
can be sacrifice, but murder
is the last blasphemy.
we remember lives taken
and some offered up freely—
given time to choose exactly whose principles
to die for, theirs or the men’s with boxcutters
i call them all victims
i call them all heroes
except for the ones that woke
with suicide bomber resolve
threaded through morning routines;
patterns poisoned with the same logic
of men with assault weapons
opening fire on the street
before turning those guns
on themselves
i call them by name
a list written in blood, in salt,
in iron and smoke
what is a fit sacrifice?
in the end, that final analysis
we are all ghosts inside bodies. choose how
and who to haunt carefully–
when nothing is held holy
what line is left to cross
but this, making ash
of the force that powers breath
and drives heart
they all died, hate
tearing from fingers this thing we grasp
as long as possible, breaking or stealing
the one commandment stamped inside flesh:
live
Susan Daniels Poetry 
Wow.
Thanks, Trent.
Wasn’t sure what else to say.
Hey–appreciate the comment. I feel a bit ambivalent about this piece, myself.
Doesn’t sound that way. Had a very loud voice in my ears. You got a trick for making people feel something.
Oh, thanks, Trent. I would rather make people feel the good in things, but this–this was such a horrible thing. The self absorption and fanaticism it would take to plan this, to execute this leaves me reeling, still, 11 years later.
This is what needs to be said.
Thanks, Mama.
A perceptive narrative of the impact which that day had on countless lives and it still does. A wonderful piece, as always! 🙂
Aw–thanks, mucho appreciated. I am not quite sure I like this piece yet.
Well, I do! Is there an ‘open mic’ session tonight in dverse?
Thanks again 😉
Yes, there is–anything you want to link up, do. Torn between sending this one or “The Jazz of My Words”
Well, I am sure that the majority of people will be submitting pieces on 9/11 as will I! I am working on it now. What time are you posting? I do like this. Maybe you want to be different and go against the grain? Lol.
The linkfest starts at 3–and it fills up quickly. I am looking forward to an afternoon of reading great poetry, yours included 😉
Haha… Is the wink implying that my poetry is actually shit? Lol. Well, my piece is going to be typically somber as fits the occasion, I guess! I’m just going to write about one of the images which sticks in my mind. I can’t wait to see which one you choose to post!
NO, not implying that at all–you know I love what you write, you little brat…
I’m terrible, really. Apologies, Suzy Q!
Hey–you are charming.
Like a rattlesnake!
darn it, you just tweaked my muse, you!
Agree with your words !!!
Thank you, GS.
Love
Thank you. Had to do it. Never wrote a 9/11 poem when it happened…
I thought of doing a 9/11 post, but can’t. I’m glad you did.
Thanks, Rhonda. Can’t imagine what I would have written any sooner, in all the rawness of it.
it IS still raw. 11 years later. i think it always will be, and perhaps that’s the way it should remain.
Yes. It needs to.
Just put it out there and said what needs to be said. Wonderfully done.
Pat–thank you.
This was magnificent, a word I don’t use often. I am humbled by your wisdom and talent. Thanks.
Wow–and I am humbled by your words. Thanking you.
Very deeply moving, for all the right reasons. Nothing in killing for any reason is ever right, no matter who the killer is. Hatred just breeds more hate and the cycle keeps repeating. They were victims of hatred, they were heroes, some of whom paid and are still paying a high price for their compassion an caring. One day all of mankind will answer to the prime creator, I know which side of good or evil I want to be on.
As I said, deeply moving Susan.
Oh, I am so glad it spoke to you, to this.
Ghosts that wander,
Blood beneath the ground;
We wonder
Why there are so many
And where… where did they go?
Oh, beautiful! Where did they go, I wonder?
very nice Susan, well done
Thank you, Mark.
This is an exceptional poem. It is full of truth about love and hate, and false heroism. It is sad, but so well written. I loved it.
Myrna–thank you so much.
I wrote a 9/11 poem too. Just had to. I guess in a way we all choose the principles we would die for. It truly saddens me still that these men with box cutters killed so many people senselessly because of hate.
I know, Mary. i know. Going to catch up on reading later on tonight.
we are all ghosts inside bodies.
yes. this.
Kelly–thank you. Glad you liked that.
when nothing is held holy
what line is left to cross
but this, making ash
There are no ways to see this day and not cry–and maybe, those tears are holy
oh yes–I believe tears can make this day, those memories, holy
Exhaustively treated,nice take Susan! The world is still reeling from the impact. A pity lots of sadness on innocents. The perpetrators are still around!
Hank
Yes, they are.
there is wonderful wisdom in your words….one thing that struck me was the calling them by name…and i wonder if only we did that the impact it might make…to make it personal…
Brian–so true. The poet Laureate in 2002 did a memorial poem for the victims of 9/11 and read some names aloud threaded through the poem–it was very powerful stuff. Another of my friends posted it on FB today.
Here. http://video.pbs.org/video/2125993873
Great!
Wonderful depth of reality strikes through your words. Its time…we are ready to live and that we must do now, live in the good of all and the whole of love. Send you blessings ~ Rose
Oh, thanks so much, Rose!
“in the end, that final analysis
we are all ghosts inside bodies. choose how
and who to haunt carefully–”
Lovely. Wonderful write
Oh, thank you so much!
Susan, this is absolutely stunning. I read it again and again. Thank you so much for this powerful and eloquent piece. It means more than I can put into words. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Francesca–thank you! I think this is 11 years of reaction bottled into one poem, as I was in the midst of my block when we encountered 9/11/01. (I am so glad it reached you!
Choosing how and who to haunt is a very powerful idea. k.
Oh, thank you K.
So well done. *bows* I agree with every word.
Nelle–thank you very much.
very powerful!
♥
Dani–thank you.
Powerful and very touching.
Laurie–thank you, and also thanks for the follow!
Susan you have achieved a wonderful piece here, with words that reach and are timeless
oh, gosh–thanking you. Took 11 years for it to come out…
Be proud of it ,big hugs from me
Thank you Christopher 🙂
I’ve been broken all week ~ hopefully I’ll mend, too.
awww–I know you will. Blessings to you, friend.
Truly powerful and moving. Well done, Susan.
Thanks so much, Celestine!
beautifully spoken. ” choose how / and who to haunt carefully” an interesting line…I particularly like this stanza.
oh, thank you. I like the chilling effect of those words myself.
Despair, heart piercing pain , pain and more pain to try ańd fix heartless acts…
Thank you, Patricia. At least those that suffered that day are beyond pain.
what line is left to cross
a very valid question… where does it end.
Powerful, raw, and heartfelt
Thank you. Appreciate your reading 🙂
You make your reflections of 9/11’s massacre and other such abominations crystal clear…
Thank you Lindy.