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Contributor Series 1: 9/11, Afterwards


09.17.09 Posted in Contributor Series 1, today's words by

Contributor Series 1: 9/11
Afterwards
By Kim Klugh
(written in the days immediately following 9/11)
The writer was in Lancaster, PA, working as a librarian in an elementary school on 9/11.


the sun still chases
the moon from the sky
leaves still curl then drift
from the tree like flakes of soot
floating to the ground
sparrows gather and fend at the feeder
for perching rights or dip their beaks
to sip from the birdbath
towels from the dryer are warm
in my hand
the phone still rings

I remind my stunned children
we are alive
we have purpose
though altered we are not
completely shattered
we must heal–it is our duty
to become the messengers
for those who can no longer sing
or speak for themselves
with God’s grace we must
go on claiming wisdom
and courage as our allies

to do any less
is to grant victory to evil.

Kim Klugh’s poetry (Yours Was the First Face) has appeared in vox poetica in 2009.



One Response to “Contributor Series 1: 9/11, Afterwards”

  1. Yes, the children…my oldest child was only three at the time, so as the years passed it actually impacted her more. We are still having these discussions.

    This is so heartfelt and sincere. I love it.

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