Edward Ibeh Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

9-11, Day of the Apocalypse

Oh, I remember...
A most painful anniversary. I'll never forget
Where I was that fateful September day.
I still vividly remember what I was doing
And exactly how I felt
When I watched in paralyzing horror
As the second hijacked plane hit the tower;
The cataclysmic impact,
Immediate;
Depth of heartache and pain,
Bottomless.
I knew America was under terrorist attack.
The imagery of billowing smoke
From the gaping hollows
Where the planes struck
The twin towers,
Unforgettable.
Watching trapped people
Who couldn't withstand the intense heat
Plunging to their deaths,
Unshakable; 
Glued to the TV in such shock and disbelief
I could barely speak!
On that September morning in New York,
Thousands of everyday people,
Including brave firefighters
Woke up,
Kissed their families goodbye,
Walked out the front door never to return.
Their survivors left to deal with 
The aftermath of their new reality;
Yet that awful, tragic day was also a day
Of courage and resilience.
Heroes made the last moments of their lives count 
Aboard Flight 77; an impending attack 
On the Pentagon, they thwarted. 
Terrorists tried to divide us that day.
They failed spectacularly.
From the ashes, America rose like Phoenix, 
Still united. 21 years later,
The pain is still fresh every anniversary.
The memory is eternally vivid.
The world hasn't forgotten. 
We Americans haven't forgotten.
We will never forget.


Writing Challenge - X'd Poems Second Chance Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
Date submitted: 12/03/2022

N/A in Remember September Poetry Contest 
Sponsored by: Andrea Dietrich 
Contest Judged:  9/23/2022 8:14:00 PM
Date written: 09/11/2022

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Susan Ashley December 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM Dear Edward, your eloquent poem is powerful and poignant. An American tragedy never to be forgotten. Congratulations for your excellent win in Constance's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Edward Ibeh December 17, 2022 at 7:55 PM Coming from such a great poet like yourself, it really means a lot! Thank you very much, Susan:-) Happy holidays!

Valsa George December 9, 2022 at 12:16 AM I too had seen that most horrifying spectacle the very moment it happened. I remember it triggered sparks of fear and horror in the hearts of everyone in the family. You have brought the entire scene before our eyes in vivid detail through your wonderful poem. Congratulations Edward on your well deserved win. Edward Ibeh December 10, 2022 at 8:34 AM Thank you very much for the visit, comments and congrats, Valsa:-)

Constance La France December 8, 2022 at 5:03 AM Edward, impressive, intense and meaningful. Congratulations on your win in my Writing Challenge - X'd Poems Second Chance, well done, I love your poem and image/quote, On September 11 that year I buried a fav uncle and my niece was born, blessings Edward Ibeh December 8, 2022 at 7:16 AM Thank you very much for sharing, Constance:-) I appreciate the congrats and my placement! Most obliged.

Ann Peck December 6, 2022 at 11:04 AM Edward, I was walking my dog and a neighbor said go turn on your TV we are under attack. I wrote a poem commemorating the 20th anniversary. We were all one that day. It took our own people to tear us apart. Your poem says what most of us were feeling. Congratulations on your win! 1 Edward Ibeh December 7, 2022 at 2:04 PM Thank you very much for the visit, congrats, and sharing your 9-11 experience, Ann. I'd love to read your commemoration poem!

Janice Canerdy December 6, 2022 at 8:07 AM We were changing classes at my school, where I taught high-school English, when I found out. The rest of the day was a blur! Edward, CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win with this moving and expressive poem! Janice Edward Ibeh December 7, 2022 at 2:12 PM Thank you very much for the congratulations and sharing your experience of that awful day, Janice. I was mowing the lawn when I was called in to watch smoke billowing from one of the twin towers. Harrowing!

Tom Cunningham September 11, 2022 at 11:59 PM Brilliant writing Edward, I was in Spain when it was on TV and not understanding Spanish at first thought it was a terrible accident, as we went into town the. Newsfeed was in English and realised it was an act of terrorism. I'll never forget it, may those scum burn in hell. Tom Edward Ibeh September 12, 2022 at 5:11 AM Thank you very much, Tom:-) ..."may those scum burn in hell'"...From your lips to God's ears!

L Milton Hankins September 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM A winner, for sure, Edward. I haven't read a better, more well-written poem about this tragedy. Worthy of P.O.T.D.! Edward Ibeh September 11, 2022 at 5:06 PM Thank you very much, Milt:-)