[quote=Jox,Sep. 28 2003, 07:46] Hi Lindi,
You poem seems to concentrate all the contradictory feelings into one work; well done.
I was in a school reception office working on their computers on a pleasant September afternoon when the news was given to us by a delivery driver (who had heard it on his van’s radio). At first it meant very little to me...
“Have you heard - terrorists have attacked the World Trade Centre in New York.”
We are used, here, to buildings being bombed by Irish terrorists (it has been happening for nearly one hundred years). Moreover, at the time I couldn’t say I knew anything about the WTC. Indeed, I actually thought it in Chicago - so I was confused by the NY reference. (You see, I just remembered it for being one of the World’s tallest buildings, twin-towered and having been targeted by terrorists before).
Driving home, listing to my car radio, the reports coming in were like something out of science fiction (they still are). Arriving home, I switched on the television and both the BBC and ITV (Independent Television) had full coverage. Then, of course, I saw video of the aircraft striking.
I do not remember JFK being assassinated - though I was listening to the news media shortly afterwards; I suppose I registered no special meaning. However, even though the initial news of the Nine-Eleven attacks meant little to me, hearing the radio news a couple of hours later then seeing the video images has impregnated that van driver’s first message on my mind.
As I have said elsewhere on MM, though comparatively few compared to Americans, the day of 11th September 2001 also meant the heaviest British losses in a single terrorist attack. Many of those losses were from a fifty mile radius of here and so, as the weeks passed, the very real tales of horror and bravery unfolded and, in a strange way, almost seemed local.
Thanks, again for your poem,
Jox.
Hello again, Jox~
You are so sweet taking the time to read my poems. I feel so honored and I appreciate your positive words as well. Thank you for sharing your perspective, and I don't care if it happens in America, England or the moon, this kind of violence is abhorrent, too horrible to put into words. I am sorry for the tragedy we had here, as well as the tragedy in England. Horrible and tragic!!
At any rate, you are very kind to not only comment on my poem, but share some of your life, Jox. It is so nice to learn a little bit about you!:)
Take care~
Lindi
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