It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years since the World Trade Center tragedy. I was only in 4th grade at the time, but I remember clearly, watching terror unfold on TV. We get caught up in the tasks of the day and sometimes, unfortunately, forget to take a moment and remember those we lost. No matter which side of the political spectrum you’re on, we are all still Americans. It’s important to reflect on the events from 11 years ago and be proud of our country.

In my English class today, the guest speaker shared a beautiful poem with us written a day before the 1 year anniversary of 9/11. I want to share it on here as well in the hopes that you feel the same inspiration and peace as I did.

Cello

When a dead tree falls in a forest
it often falls into the arms
of a living tree. The dead,
thus embraced, rasp in wind,
slowly carving a niche
in the living branch, shearing away
the rough outer flesh, revealing
the pinkish, yellowish, feverish
inner bark. For years
the dead tree rubs its fallen body
against the living, building
its dead music, making its raw mark,
wearing the tough bough down
as it moans and bends, the deep
rosined bow sound of the living
shouldering the dead.

September 10, 2002

–Dorianne Laux from her book Facts About the Moon