Amazement

A day, so many years ago, we traveled up to see the stars
from high upon a rising spire,
not knowing then, what we know now

We stood in voiceless, transfixed gaze, where once two towers pierced the sky 
But now the fog of stinging tears grips the throat and swallows years

How fragile life will bend and curve,
and take away in one brief day, the voice of reason, never heard

Now back again, and through the haze, we read the names, now carved like graves
Where water streams three thousand tears, and years can't wash away the pain
Where bitter comes the taste of rain

Yet, reverently, the voice is clear
of hope and pride, where life begins

Raw photographs have not been blurred, in spite of where my heart was plunged,
into the darkest dungeon known

And still the blackest smoke has turned
into amazement, where I've grown

to treasure good before it's gone...


________________________________________________________________
For Contest Sponsored By FJ Thomas "My Spirit"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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A   Avatar
July 7, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Carrie, :-) CONGRATULATIONS -in Nathan's "Razor Sharp" contest!!! awesome winning write. LOVE LOVE * Linda
De Burca Avatar
July 5, 2013 at 3:06 PM
A fitting epithaph and a wonderful write. Congrats on your win.
Macfarlane Avatar
July 5, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Touching and insightful write that tugs at the heartstrings. Terrific write and win Carrie. Hugs
Gildersleeve Avatar
July 2, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Carrie I love the positive ending. This is a fav for me. Congratulations on your fabulous win. Warm Smiles, Connie
A  Avatar
July 1, 2013 at 9:51 PM
Carrie, :-) Congrats! with your awesome razor sharp poem................ SKAT
D. Avatar
July 1, 2013 at 9:25 PM
thank you once again Carrie
Jones Avatar
March 20, 2013 at 6:34 PM
Congrats Carrie.....Donna
Ryerson Avatar
March 17, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Whew!...You never cease to amaze, Carrie...so sad and heartbreaking and then the last verse sums it up with a positive conclusion... the gaining of knowledge and wisdom...Yes it is amazing, and so are you my friend - Tim
Ryerson Avatar
March 17, 2013 at 3:03 PM
And a wonderful tribute as well...
Arowolo Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Wonderful and awesome piece,Carrie...We are still amazed about the twin towers...Great write,Pal..Congrats on your well deserved win...Kudos to you..
Johnson Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 7:43 PM
A wonderful poem and right at the top where it belongs. Love, Joyce
Kendrick Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Great work in memory of the great tragedy that still holds in most Americans memories..Enjoyed reading..Congrats on your win..Sara
May Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 1:57 PM
excellent write Carrie...congrats on your win
A   Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 12:41 PM
CARRIE, CONGRATULATIONS in Deb's contest!!! ;-) always~ PD
Gildersleeve Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Gosh Carrie this is just beautiful. This poem is the best I've read on PS in a while. You deserved this first place win. Great penning girl. Warm smiles Always, Connie
Dillard Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 10:03 AM
I can remember watching it all unfold on television. The entire staff was in shock. Parents were calling to insist their children didn't watch. Others wanted us to make sure they saw every minute. Some just wanted their kids at home. Your poem takes me back...as much as my visit to "ground zero". We all need to remember, and must never forget, the price they paid for the precious prize we have in freedom.
Eastman Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Congratulations on such a worthy win. It depicts the thoughts and emotions of so many...
Squyres Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 7:44 AM
Those images are burned in my brain... You have written an awesome poem on this subject... tenderness flows through. Love !! Congrats on your win !!
Lamoureux Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Your words rise above the ashes, I am in awe. Congratulations.
Guzzi Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 6:45 AM
I think this would be a great submission for one of the 2 Christian Magazines, you should try gal your writing is awe inspiring. Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Jerden Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 6:35 AM
This is going in my favorites, Carrie! Perfect meter and rhyme, even though you classified it as free verse.
Roberts Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Well done this is brilliant....Seren
Zerbst Avatar
February 20, 2013 at 8:42 PM
Your poetry sounds like that of a bygone era. Do you read a lot of older poems? It just seems to have that vintage quality.
Bauer Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 3:07 PM
this is a beautiful and very touching testament to the 9/11 memorial. i think you've really captured all the emotion brought up by a visit to that site. bravo!
Macmillan Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Carrie. I'm a bold one. I went to the 9/11 war memorial website. I went to their artist registry area, to the poets area and sent them the following email "Hello. I am a member of an on-line poetry site and came across a poem, about 9/11 which I found incredible and moving. Please, how can this poet get involved and post her poem for the memorial? If interested simply copy and paste this addy, and you will see her Poem. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poem_detail.aspx?ID=457819" Had to!<3
Macmillan Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 2:49 PM
I'll keep you posted as to their response! Some poems NEED to be read by those who have suffered, lost and struggle to heal. This poem is one of them. xox
Macmillan Avatar
February 19, 2013 at 2:37 PM
Oh, Carrie. You ... are a poet in every sense, Hon. This should go further than soup... please, consider sending this... look, I'm so touched by this, let me find out for you! I have only a few moments. My girl is asleep in her stroller, we just got home. I have 10 mins. Let me see what I can come up with. This is so beautiful, I feel it must be read by New Yorkers! xox Cyndi ummm the captcha reads NUTY. Me? Maybe. :)
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