Home » Poems » CayCay Jennings » September 11 - 2001 -- Poem Before PS

September 11 - 2001 -- Poem Before PS

My heart is in one world, yours is in another, yet truth says that you are my brother. We were both born perfect children of God, but you were wrapped in hate and told that was your job. I was given freedom, love and the right to dream. You were fed ignorance, evil and encouraged to scheme. I cannot hate you, my brother so lost, nor can I tolerate the suffering you caused. In misguided flight, your hate filled the sky. Seeking to dim America’s light, you caused many to die. Know that we do bleed, but, no, you did not succeed. Through ashes and chaos, we discover the best in us, and prayer of prayer, hope of hope, this is what you caused to grow – this is what the world will know. Written: September 12, 2001

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Pete Yuhas

Date: 11/25/2015 11:51:00 AM

Very good, very true and a very nice write. Pete Yuhas

Skat A

Date: 10/19/2015 11:46:00 PM

CayCay, Congratulations on your sweet win. ~SKAT~

Balveen Cheema

Date: 10/17/2015 6:45:00 AM

Congrats CayCay! You sere fed ignorance-beautiful! Love, Balveen

Paul Callus

Date: 10/17/2015 3:16:00 AM

Hi CayCay! I'm pleased this poem made it to the winners' list; gives me a chance to read it again:) Congratulations! ~ paul

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 10/17/2015 1:09:00 AM

Congrats on ur awesome winning write Caycay!

Michael Tor

Date: 10/16/2015 11:20:00 PM

Caycay nice win!!!

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/16/2015 11:44:00 PM

Thank you, kind man ... CayCay

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 10/16/2015 9:04:00 PM

CayCay, Congratulations on your win, thank you for supporting my contest. Stop by my latest blog "I'm not a terrorist" if you would like or have time. Always & Forever LINDA

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/16/2015 11:43:00 PM

Thank you, Linda, for the chance to post an old and emotional write. It is never too late to revisit and ponder this behavior. Thank you, too, for inviting me to blog - I've never done that! ... CayCay

Sandra Haight

Date: 10/16/2015 7:32:00 PM

Amazing poem, CayCay. Extremely powerful words in the imagery of good and evil, and how, no matter what, good together with hope will always grow to outshine the evil. That was a day none of us will ever forget. Congratulations on your fine win. Hugs, Sandra

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/16/2015 11:41:00 PM

No, we will never forget. I am appalled at all the 'terrorist'-themed shows on TV. I don't think we should grow that theme in any way in the universe and I can't imagine who watches (I'm sorry if you do - forgive me!) I would wager you had your own writing therapy on that day or soon after. Thank you, Sandra for your comments ... CayCay

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/16/2015 7:26:00 PM

big congrats on this one. And I hope soon we can correspond again, fun lady!!

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/16/2015 11:36:00 PM

That's so cute. Here's what I hear: "Can CayCay come out to play?" I love that! Thank you, sweetie ... CayCay

Mark Woods

Date: 10/13/2015 1:18:00 AM

I remember this day so well, even though I'm on the other side of the world. t was an event that stopped many nations. A very inspired poem, with such depth and emotion.

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/14/2015 11:08:00 AM

Thank you, Mark. As Andrea wrote, I think that day had every poet's pen moving. I appreciate your comments ... CayCay

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/9/2015 4:44:00 PM

I think all of us with poetry flowing through our veins were inspired to write something after 9/11. yours is better than the one I came up with after that fateful date. I really like this one, dear. (I hope I remembered to answer your soupmail! I think I did!!)

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/10/2015 11:41:00 AM

I agree, all poets turned to their personal therapy - writing and trying to makes sense of their feelings. You did write me, that ball is in my court. Thank you for sharing your reaction to this poem with me, Andrea - I appreciate you ... CayCay

Carl Fraser

Date: 10/7/2015 5:48:00 PM

What a great tribute that shows the resilience and fortitude in the face of evil. A brilliant work Cay Cay. Blessings Carl

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:06:00 AM

Thank you, Carl for reading and sharing your reaction with me. I am delighted that the poem moved you. This was a therapy write, trying to clarify my own feelings during that frightening and devastating time ... CayCay

Tim Ryerson

Date: 10/7/2015 5:01:00 PM

Something good always comes from something bad for good people and you have shown through this touching tribute that you are good people CayCay...Thanks for this - Tim----------PS: I LOVE your first name!

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:09:00 AM

I am touched by your response, Tim, and I thank you for sharing it with me. So much good was truly born from devastation. I think that is typically the case, thank goodness. Also, thank you for the sweet compliment about my name, I don't hear that very often - it made me smile ... CayCay

Paul Callus

Date: 10/7/2015 1:10:00 PM

Full marks for this touching poem, CayCay. #7 It is said that comparisons are odious, but in this case it was relatively important to do so. I love to think that good triumphs over evil...love triumphs over hate! // paul

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:12:00 AM

Hey, you - I had to look up odious, was glad I guessed intelligently based on the context. I thank you for teaching me a new word and for leaving such a encouraging comment. White Hats over Black Hats, that is my constant prayer. Again, Paul - I thank you ... CayCay

Emile Pinet

Date: 10/7/2015 12:29:00 PM

The way you have woven this piece together with emotions stitched with a poetic thread is unique and impressive. This reads as a serious poem of the heart, touching on a dreadful time in American history. Emile.

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:13:00 AM

Hi, Emile - Your comments are consistently pretty prose, I love reading them. Thank you ... CayCay

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/7/2015 12:22:00 PM

What a wonderful entry Cay Cay.

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:14:00 AM

Thank you, Richard. You reading and commenting means a great deal to me. I need to check on what you've been up to ... CayCay

Nette Onclaud

Date: 10/7/2015 12:17:00 PM

compelling piece that awakens the senses, cay... enjoyed this one!.. huggs

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:15:00 AM

Hi, I'm delighted with your comment. Thank you so much, Nette, for leaving it for me. Always a joy to find you here ... CayCay

Constance La France

Date: 10/7/2015 12:00:00 PM

CayCay. This is so deeply moving 7 and thanks for visiting my poetry ...

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:16:00 AM

I thank you and visiting your poems is always a pleasure ... CayCay

Kp Nunez

Date: 10/7/2015 11:59:00 AM

Well-written, one that comes from the heart will always have a powerful voice. Showing the comparison, leads to understanding. All the best in the contest, Cay!

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:18:00 AM

Hi, Kim - your comments are always very insightful and a treasure to find. Thank you for visiting me and sharing your response ... CayCay

John Hamilton

Date: 10/7/2015 9:25:00 AM

Obviously a wonderful expression of hope so soon after the tragic events of that day. Well done. Thanks for your encouraging thoughts on my poem I was just a kid. It is fiction, but something I feel strongly about. I also wrote about Sept 11, one day I will submit it but it is rather long. John Derek Hamilton

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:24:00 AM

Hi, John - I am happy you came to visit me. I look forward to reading your 9-11 poem when you post it. Also, I will be by to see what you've been up to. Thank you, John, very much ... CayCay

Ravi Sathasivam

Date: 10/7/2015 4:08:00 AM

Excellent. Very deep writing. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:22:00 AM

Ravi - how sweet you are to leave a very encouraging comment for me to find. I appreciate it very much ... CayCay

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/7/2015 3:35:00 AM

- A deeply moving poem, CayCay !!! - I wish you good luck in the contest ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Michael Tor

Date: 10/7/2015 2:22:00 AM

CayCay such a tender write. So much said here. Chaos was transformed into Unity and love. Wonderful write. If you ever get the chance CayCay watch the documentary Loose Change. It is about what you have written here. xxx

CayCay Jennings
Date: 10/9/2015 8:21:00 AM

Hi, Michael. Thank you for recommending the documentary. I wrote down the name and plan to pursue it. I'm just concerned I'll need a box of tissues. I appreciate you and your comments very much ... CayCay