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{"It is one of the mysteries of our nature that a man,
all unprepared,
can receive a thunder-stroke like that and live.
There is but one reasonable explanation of it.
The intellect is stunned by the shock
and but gropingly gathers the meaning of the words.
The power to realize their full import is mercifully lacking."
- Mark Twain.}
Everybody had their say on September 11th yesterday. I ... I could not bring myself to speak on it. Not on that day.
The dark winds of the Shadowlands were filled with the wailing of the lost souls remembering the horror, panic, and fear of their dying.
The shadows are quiet now. I look about the land of the living. And most have shrugged the remembrance aside.
Old news. Bills to pay. Lives to live.
There is too much tragedy each heartbeat of each day for us to hold onto any one moment of keening for long.
The world is drowning in tragedy.
The rain forests are still burning, and our attention span has turned off the smoke detectors. An African child's emancipated face wails on our TV screen, and we change the channel.
The Twin Towers were gutted by planes filled with screaming passengers. And today a mosque for the faith whose zealots masterminded the mass murder is being erected right by the site.
Each day we pass individuals who are struggling with their own private 9-11, and we hurry by, perhaps irritated by their slow pace or distant, inward directed eyes.
We honor the valiant, the orphaned, and the murdered of 9-11 when we remember that tragedy has a very long shelf-life
and act with compassion towards each person we meet, knowing that everyone is having a harder time than they appear.
***
all unprepared,
can receive a thunder-stroke like that and live.
There is but one reasonable explanation of it.
The intellect is stunned by the shock
and but gropingly gathers the meaning of the words.
The power to realize their full import is mercifully lacking."
- Mark Twain.}
Everybody had their say on September 11th yesterday. I ... I could not bring myself to speak on it. Not on that day.
The dark winds of the Shadowlands were filled with the wailing of the lost souls remembering the horror, panic, and fear of their dying.
The shadows are quiet now. I look about the land of the living. And most have shrugged the remembrance aside.
Old news. Bills to pay. Lives to live.
There is too much tragedy each heartbeat of each day for us to hold onto any one moment of keening for long.
The world is drowning in tragedy.
The rain forests are still burning, and our attention span has turned off the smoke detectors. An African child's emancipated face wails on our TV screen, and we change the channel.
The Twin Towers were gutted by planes filled with screaming passengers. And today a mosque for the faith whose zealots masterminded the mass murder is being erected right by the site.
Each day we pass individuals who are struggling with their own private 9-11, and we hurry by, perhaps irritated by their slow pace or distant, inward directed eyes.
We honor the valiant, the orphaned, and the murdered of 9-11 when we remember that tragedy has a very long shelf-life
and act with compassion towards each person we meet, knowing that everyone is having a harder time than they appear.
***
You have said it beautifully as no one but you can. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for reminding us to show compassion towards those we meet everyday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Samuel, for reminding us that everyone has a story. We get so caught up in our busy lives, it becomes easy to see strangers as numbers, just obstacles or even tools. I definitely remembered today, but it's true on an average day, yesterday's pains are set aside for today's.
ReplyDeleteWow, you and I were thinking on the same page tonight.
ReplyDeleteIs that why my internet has been so slow?
A horrific reminder of life, and the small tragedies that go unnoticed in the larger scheme.
.......dhole
Beautiful sentiments. I feel the same about those who lost their lives during the IRA bombings in my homeland (UK).
ReplyDeleteA sad world.
I watched some of the specials on tv yesterday. Once again, I felt sorrow for all that was lost, for everyone. I heard some moving stories I'd not heard before.
ReplyDeleteThough it offers little, the heroic, sacrificial side of humanity truly shined that day.
I loved the comment you made-people suffer their own 9/11 every day. You are so wise....
it's so true Roland--the huge catastrophes capture our attention, but we must remember those around us in need as well. Even a small act of kindness can make such a difference. What's that--the ripple effect? take care~ <3
ReplyDeletebeautifully moving tribute - thanks so much for sharing! haven't seen you in a while - way too long - so hope you'll drop by for a visit should you be so inclined - gypsy
ReplyDeleteRoland, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, Sept. 11th, I actually attended the funeral of a friend and Vietnam Veteran, David. He loved this country and I know it made him sad to see the pervasive apathy...the creeping in of things that he fought so desperately against. Mostly, he was a good Christian man who loved his neighbors and served the people around him. It was an honor to know him
We do each have out own 9/11s...and we also have the shared ones. When we can finally see ourselves in our neighbor's eyes the apathy will die. I pray for that.
Thank you, Roland, for reminding us.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Roland. The world is drowning in tragedy, not just the ones the media covers over and over. I like your take on this.
ReplyDeleteTouching tribute. And so true.
ReplyDeletethat rebel, Olivia