Clarity

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Joanne Edith

From my bulkhead window seat I smile,
I buckle up, take a breath and sigh.
This sparkling crystal morn will be imprinted
on my ever-wakening mind’s eye…
Forever.

New paths (i’m told) will spread ahead for me,
I gladly (if warily) seize this dawning day,
Doors will open, closed doors soon will fade;
My fears should soon be allayed…
For now.

Yet all is changed, as soon I starkly stare
Her gaping, gashing, billowing, belching wound.
The moment gone, blue sky erased, as if
by artist’s charcoal smudge, without a sound…
Forever.

I soon will see, and re-see images of grief
Mid piles of steel and twisted, rusted truss
Brave souls will don impotent woven shield,
Their mask from falling ash of human dust…
For days.

Our dreams of blinded trust are all but gone,
We’ll live the pain and face down vicious hate.
We’ll stare it down, chase it from it’s lairs
of distant dirt and smokey, stoney slate…
For years.

My mundane trepidations cast aside
by smokey darkness, faded now to black,
As all who lived and died that dire day
will ne’er retreat, will ne’er, e’er go back…
Never.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Written in response to Trifecta Challenge:

MASK (noun)
Definition 3 a : a protective covering for the face
b : gas mask
c : a device covering the mouth and nose to facilitate inhalation
d : a comparable device to prevent exhalation of infective material
e : a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
The word itself needs to be included in your response.
You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.
Only one entry per writer.

Category: Introspection, Photography, Postaday, Trifecta Writing Challenge (Archives), Well-struck NotesTags: 9-11, Photograph, Postaday, Terrorism, Trifecta Writing Challenge (Archives)

9 Comments on “Clarity”

Trifecta (@trifectawriting)
September 13, 2013

Falling ash of human dust won’t leave my mind. I still remember that day, and the following week of smoke sitting over the city, so clearly.

LikeLike

Reply
- BCIJo (aka Joanne Edith)
  September 13, 2013
  
  So horrible. We who lived through it can’t ever forget. I live in NJ, a commuting town, with many who worked at WTC. Words can’t express…
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
atrm61
September 12, 2013

Excellent piece of writing ,bringing home the tragedy of 9/11 once again!

LikeLike

Reply
- BCIJo (aka Joanne Edith)
  September 12, 2013
  
  Thanks Atreyee…it’s taken all these years for me to be able to write about that day.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - atrm61
    September 13, 2013
    
    I can understand.
    
    LikeLike
KymmInBarcelona
September 11, 2013

What a lovely tribute, Joanne!
‘dreams of blinded trust’ ❤

LikeLike

Reply
- BCIJo (aka Joanne Edith)
  September 11, 2013
  
  Thanks Kymm. Actually, I was on a plane out of Newark at 8:45 that morning, flying up the Hudson, worried about my new job and thinking ‘what a beautiful day’, as I looked at NY skyline. At 8:46 I looked out the window again, and saw the gash in the side of Tower 2. They flew us to Providence and never told us what had happened…no info anywhere, only unforgettable images of destruction.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
jannatwrites
September 11, 2013

Your descriptions are beautiful and vivid. I’m reading this as possibly a rescue worker, or someone who provides aid after a tragedy.

LikeLike

Reply
- BCIJo (aka Joanne Edith)
  September 11, 2013
  
  Thanks Janna. yes I was thinking about the 9-11 rescuers who were told it was safe, as they donned their little white face masks in the aftermath.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply