deepundergroundpoetry.com
9/11 (A Garden...)
"A Garden For Your Ghost"
The day you left, Autumn went with you.
It was Winter right away
-The city kind. Snow falls heavy, and gray.
Snowmen slouch to their knees in muck,
while I stood in the archway
of a cracked-face store,
staring at the sky
and waiting for the rain.
-Waiting for you to walk up
and show me that you're okay.
I know, in the illogic of my heart
that you've not gone.
You simply left to follow the sun.
I know, as I fall to the fate of sleep,
that you stir awake.
Not so far off, that I can't hear you still
singing to me.
Not so far off; These everyday dreams.
I can't name a single song,
but I can see your face.
It's a quiet world, around me now,
after the stonefall settled down.
I thought to gather it up and make a wall.
But then I'd end up locking myself in, and alone.
And you out, when you try to come home.
Winter retires, but this rain has not,
for it is not.
It's the tears and the sweat
of the snowmen's tired journey.
These clouds are their spirits, lifting away.
Through their confusion, in all the fury;
Restless ghosts, too loved to float astray.
I know, in the illogic of my heart
you've not left with them.
So I don't pray.
There's a basket, by the door,
for your dirty clothes.
Atop the stairs, on the banister,
your robe.
I'm in the family room,
'tho it's not (but I hope),
by the window, looking past the snow.
When you left,
you took away the logic
to the seasons.
Through the television
it's mostly blue.
But off and on, it shows
again, the lack of reason.
Of falling stones, crumbling snowmen,
gray rainbows
and ten thousand tears, for you.
Inside my window,
I've lit a candle for you
and I cup its lonely warmth.
It sits beside a yellow rose.
I swear, tho, I swear
it's not the start
of a garden for your ghost.
When you left, years ago today,
a struggle started
-As logic and I parted.
Of fate and faith;
One so strong and obnoxious
and one quiet, not as obvious.
All those ghosts, I couldn't save.
In my tears I didn't see you wave
-If you did, I wouldn't know.
I admit, I knelt to ground
as the gathering puddles
mirrored the stone falling down.
But my love, I'm standing now.
It's been many years,
clouds again come and go.
Rain is again rain.
And snow, is just snow.
But in the still, illogic of my heart,
there's a few ghosts.
Maybe one of them met you
and could tell me, before they go...
Where you went, when we had to part.
Where you are, besides my heart.
This sky, this peaceful blue,
carrying wayward spirit-clouds.
None of them you.
All those ghosts;
Any one I'd save,
just to tell me, still
you're not alone.
My love, I am still brave,
until you come home.
~~~
Published 12th Sep 2023
Author's Note
(The snowmen are the firefighters covered in debris and soot)
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 11
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12th Sep 2023 1:55am
12th Sep 2023 2:04am
Nope. It was a bottomless sadness. When I read the list of names of the deceased in the paper several days later, it really effected me so painfully and deeply. Unfathomable.
12th Sep 2023 2:11am
I got that right away - the snowmen being firefighters. I remember watching them on T.V.
covering in ash and dust. Doing what they could but obviously so unprepared for such a
large scale catastrophe. Running towards it instead of running away.
This tribute is more than just a poem:)
Thank you for reposting it - it's important to remember.
covering in ash and dust. Doing what they could but obviously so unprepared for such a
large scale catastrophe. Running towards it instead of running away.
This tribute is more than just a poem:)
Thank you for reposting it - it's important to remember.
12th Sep 2023 2:21am
Honestly, it's one of my own that still hits me. I didn't know anyone personally there. But, I damn sure felt the pain and immense loss for them. Absolutely insane, what mankind can do to harm others.
Yet, there's also the incredible good people as well. Thank God.
Thanks, you. For this. And stuff.
Yet, there's also the incredible good people as well. Thank God.
Thanks, you. For this. And stuff.
12th Sep 2023 2:54am
12th Sep 2023 3:24am
It's unfortunate that we have to go through such tragedies at all. I calmed my rage and instead wrote something with a deeper meaning. It heals hopefully, instead of causing more grief.
You do know I was coming to give you my SweetKittyCat5 poetic approval for such a beautiful remembrance, my love, and as a poet who words have always had a propounding effect to coat my intellect, and you never seem to disappoint, and thank you for coming right behind me with such a great emotional surge for a sadden day in history.
I was young, however, now I can relate to the travesty and how the citizens who this deeply touched and humanity as a whole.
Musing such as this can never dry the tears for the ones who must relive this day, and even sadder in company for the members of society to have lived it within those moments, and coping as they still are getting through it.
Hello, my poet, and I am sorry, I have been absent from you canvas, but as they say, I am here now in mutual spirit.
Enjoy your late evening, as I wish you a rewarding Tuesday. 🙏
I was young, however, now I can relate to the travesty and how the citizens who this deeply touched and humanity as a whole.
Musing such as this can never dry the tears for the ones who must relive this day, and even sadder in company for the members of society to have lived it within those moments, and coping as they still are getting through it.
Hello, my poet, and I am sorry, I have been absent from you canvas, but as they say, I am here now in mutual spirit.
Enjoy your late evening, as I wish you a rewarding Tuesday. 🙏
12th Sep 2023 3:27am
You always give me way more props than I deserve, methinks! But I do appreciate the mutually shared admiration here. Your own post on your page was no less valuable.
Too bad more people out in the world can't have such quality kinship as so many writers in here do. The world would be so much better for it...
Too bad more people out in the world can't have such quality kinship as so many writers in here do. The world would be so much better for it...
12th Sep 2023 3:50am
I had to sightly edit for a smoother comprehendible translation, and as always, you are humbly welcome.
12th Sep 2023 3:32am
I was uptown and it was all unfolding downtown. I went to my wife's dance studio early that morning to let people in for an early class. Then I went to the bank to make a deposit and all the tellers had radios on. Something you never hear in a quiet bank. I then took a city bus crosstown and there was total quiet and fear hanging in the balance. As we crossed 3rd Avenue I looked downtown to see giant puffs of ash and smoke. Then went home to my wife and broke the news.
We watched it on TV as the second tower came down and our phone was ringing, friends and family wanting to know if they could come over as they were stranded in a burning city. We all gathered and my friend Aldo and I went to the supermarket to get supplies. We just took stuff not knowing why but any food would do though nobody had an appetite. Nobody spoke as we checked out. Back home more family was showing up. Fighter jets circling above, we're we at war we wondered?
The days that followed the stench of death hung heavy and didn't go away for what felt like weeks. There's so much more that happened but that's a vivid recollection that hangs in the balance. Springsteen's The Rising always gives me chills as he recollects in songs.
Your write brings it all back again. The gallantry and the sure death of our finest firefighters and first responders. You honored them !! They are like no other. The calling is everything.
Amen
We watched it on TV as the second tower came down and our phone was ringing, friends and family wanting to know if they could come over as they were stranded in a burning city. We all gathered and my friend Aldo and I went to the supermarket to get supplies. We just took stuff not knowing why but any food would do though nobody had an appetite. Nobody spoke as we checked out. Back home more family was showing up. Fighter jets circling above, we're we at war we wondered?
The days that followed the stench of death hung heavy and didn't go away for what felt like weeks. There's so much more that happened but that's a vivid recollection that hangs in the balance. Springsteen's The Rising always gives me chills as he recollects in songs.
Your write brings it all back again. The gallantry and the sure death of our finest firefighters and first responders. You honored them !! They are like no other. The calling is everything.
Amen
12th Sep 2023 1:49pm
12th Sep 2023 8:41pm
I remember it like yesterday, this city gets the crap kicked out of it often. We always come back but more is lost ...
14th Sep 2023 1:19am
I can imagine the chaos and actual terror going through everyone's minds that morning. I've seen smaller scale situations first hand, during my military years. But nothing of that magnitude. It was literally impossible to comprehend. -The second plane, everyone knew then it was no accident.
I, and some others, literally got ready to join a fight we knew was coming. But that's another story...
This write of mine crushed me, when I was writing it. It's like praying to a ghost. They're gone.
I, and some others, literally got ready to join a fight we knew was coming. But that's another story...
This write of mine crushed me, when I was writing it. It's like praying to a ghost. They're gone.
23rd Sep 2023 3:42am
Dear Amazing Mr Styx,
Thank you for reminding me why I read poetry.
That's really all I can think of to say.
❤️k
Thank you for reminding me why I read poetry.
That's really all I can think of to say.
❤️k
14th Sep 2023 1:23am
Your comment is awesome. Like you are. Thank you!
We read, and write, for inspiration and for release of our visions. I read way more than I write, as everyone should. The better the circle of us all, the better the center. It makes a good focus point.
We read, and write, for inspiration and for release of our visions. I read way more than I write, as everyone should. The better the circle of us all, the better the center. It makes a good focus point.
13th Sep 2023 5:06am
Dear S,
Outstanding homage to the brave. That day was so dark and the memory of it still too heavy to contemplate. Your interpretation is so touching. This tribute is amazing. H🌷
Outstanding homage to the brave. That day was so dark and the memory of it still too heavy to contemplate. Your interpretation is so touching. This tribute is amazing. H🌷
14th Sep 2023 1:29am
Thanks H.
Like I said prior, this one stomped my guts when writing it. I had just had an argument that day with an insensitive prick of a man, and instead of letting my anger dictate my day, I refocused.
This write was the result.
I wish the world was a better place. But all we can do is try to make our portions decent.
It's worth it, still.
Like I said prior, this one stomped my guts when writing it. I had just had an argument that day with an insensitive prick of a man, and instead of letting my anger dictate my day, I refocused.
This write was the result.
I wish the world was a better place. But all we can do is try to make our portions decent.
It's worth it, still.
I am married to a firefighter/emt/medical 1st responder. Not in NY, however these events that unfolded have haunted us for what seems a life time. We got married on October 5th, 2001 so this was all still so fresh. I saved my wedding dress as is, never got it preserved due to the red, white and blue ribbons my cousin made for all of to wear that day to symbolize Sept, 11th. And honor those that lived and died during that horrific day. Its still on my dress. In the exact spot Wendy pinned it on me. We all cried as we got pinned. And when one was pinned, you took a pin and pinned another. The priest blessed them all as well. It was a huge deal at our wedding due to my husbands job. My father is retired firefighter. I cant bring myself to take it off. Every Sept 11th I drag out my wedding dress and look at the ribbon and what it means. This write hits my heart and made me cry. Well done. Were still married and have been for 22 years this October. <3
24th Sep 2023 1:18am
What a great, interesting comment you wrote, M'Lady. And happy (pre) anniversary!
Certain professions, and the people who choose to do them, are the true light in a dark world. Such as firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs... They go towards the danger, not away. Their courage is second nature to them. They are to be saluted and admired.
As well as you, too. For the stress that you endure knowing that their bravery is worn on their sleeves, It's automatic.
If my write caused you hurt, it's because you have a good soul. Empathy is a super power. It keeps us close to the angels.
Certain professions, and the people who choose to do them, are the true light in a dark world. Such as firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs... They go towards the danger, not away. Their courage is second nature to them. They are to be saluted and admired.
As well as you, too. For the stress that you endure knowing that their bravery is worn on their sleeves, It's automatic.
If my write caused you hurt, it's because you have a good soul. Empathy is a super power. It keeps us close to the angels.
25th Sep 2023 2:35am
Its what Ive chosen for my life. To be at his side forever and then some. No matter what. He told me when hired 24 years ago, he couldnt do it without me. He needed me to do it. Thats not sad. Thats true love. Thank you honey! <3
Any memories of this day cause us sadness....were all human and thats ok. <3
Any memories of this day cause us sadness....were all human and thats ok. <3
