Different Slants

Comment by Lori Ann

September 1, 2011 @ 12:20 pm

Bob, I read and I feel the pain.
Here’s my poem,

I’m an American, not a saint but a person
who never witness hatred as I did on 911.

I’m an American like my many friends of color
and ethnicity, I stand for freedom.

Freedom to be, speak, and earn the right to
condemn such hatred now and into the future.

Stand up, be the American that our Fathers were,
strong, fearless, and always, always fighting for
the Freedom we hold so dear. Ten years, God is
watching over us and holding us to our promises.

Are you Strong in your Stance?

Not as good as yours but what a release. Someday I’ll tell you my story.
Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

Comment by Bob

September 1, 2011 @ 12:28 pm

There is no “as good as” LA, just poetry and a desire to draw people into your unguarded emotions.

I am, however, honored that a person as busy–and weary–as you are would stop what you’re doing at 2 pm on a Thursday afternoon and write down what you felt because whatever I wrote moved you to do that.
You are a cool lady, LA.

Thanks,
Bob

Comment by Don Larson

September 1, 2011 @ 1:05 pm

Bob, Thank you for another powerful post.

Don

Comment by Brad Dechter

September 2, 2011 @ 4:18 am

Loved it- powerful imagery, sadness, pain and truth. To me, one of your best, but that may be because I am somewhat shallow in how my mind approaches my absorption of the written words. (Sorry Bob, not to minimize your work, but I am shallow…)

Comment by Holly Hyphen

September 5, 2011 @ 3:22 pm

Bob,
You feel so strongly and write such sad words.

I would have liked if you had honored your daughter Sarah and made her more important than the buildings–more important than even the people that died. But, you are probably right that she will live in the shadow of what happened that day.

My Sara, (I also have a daughter named Sara) told me on the day the planes went into buildings that we should go shopping at the mall. Horrified that she was belittling what happened I scolded her–even though she was fully grown and a teacher in her own right. She told me that if we let them ruin our lives by stopping it, then they had won. You see, she was newly back from living in Israel and she learned this there She told me that we should refuse their horror–refuse the terror they worked so hard to create and that we should LIVE. She truly was a teacher that day.

Yes, there was so much horror that day–but it was also your daughter’s birthday. She was 5 years old that day–a miracle of life! I challenge you go forward and celebrate that day always with the joy it deserves rather than as an afterthought to the horror of that day in 10 years ago.

Comment by Elaine

September 21, 2011 @ 7:15 pm

Hi Bob,
Lest we forget. Yes, 9/11 are the emergency numbers we should not forget. To forget is to become apathetic to the reality we still live in–called war. That’s where my son is, at war in Afghanistan. 9/11 wasn’t a one day affair–it continues to this day in the lives of every American corpsman, their families and their friends, and any other American who gives a care. My son recently posted on Facebook, “America’s not at war, the Marines are at war. America’s at the mall.” To which I responded, “There’s a war going on at the mall–a tug-o-war,trying to hang on to the almighty dollar!”
Anyways, Bob, good to know, good to remember. And if
nothing else, 9/11 reminds us that it’s Sara’s birthday! Please give her huge hugs and apologies for the lateness of this birthday wish for her! HAPPY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, SARAH!!! XOXO

Comment by Bob

September 11, 2012 @ 8:42 pm

Another year goes by. Sarah is now “Sweet 16”.
I took her out for another driving lesson today. On a real street. An ordinary thing to do that so many people who perished that day will never do.

And I think about that. The glory and hope of ordinary things.

See you next year…I hope.

Comment by Ami

September 11, 2014 @ 11:12 am

9/11 was a day in history that brought Western civilization to the realization that it’s not what we do, but who we are, a civilization that celebrates life, while those evil forces are proud to be worshipping hatred, sacrifice and death.

Yes, “Perhaps we will learn who to trust,” and perhaps we will also realize that “it’s us or them.”

No compromise.

Happy birthday, Sarah!

Comment by Astri (a friend)

September 11, 2014 @ 4:55 pm

Hi Bob,
Happy Birthday to Sarah! May the coming year bring much happiness and insight.

I also mourn the loss of lives caused by 9/11. It is a tragedy that we will live with for generations. Will the military/industrial complex and the “leaders” of our nation ever learn that bombs will never teach? Reduction of poverty and schools for girls and boys will do much more to entice populations to follow democracy than will drones and bombs. Since we seem determined to repeat our mistakes, it is likely that anger will continue to be the result.

Astri (Please omit my name… call me “a friend.”

Comment by Brad Dechter

September 12, 2014 @ 6:25 am

As I read this while on a plane on this 9/11, there is only one thought that rose in my mind. Permanency. We are all, sooner or later, dust in the wind. That is permanent.
Thanks for THAT thought! (You got me!)
Brad

Comment by Don Larson

September 11, 2016 @ 8:57 am

A wonderful poem reminder, Bob.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Don

Comment by Beth Walsh

September 14, 2020 @ 9:36 pm

Such depth. Thank you for sharing such powerful tender words.

Comment by Brad Dechter

September 10, 2021 @ 7:30 am

One of your best! I read it again today and still was moved by it. Great depth!
Again Dust in the wind started strobing through n=my mind…