The Day the Veil was Lifted
My thoughts this morning
Disillusioned and unbelieving,
we watched it play out
like a disaster film,
waiting for the credits to roll.
By day's end, our world was forever changed.
______
Gone was the complacency,
replaced by the knowledge
that we were vulnerable.
That Evil had found a way -
and we had provided the weapons.
______
The soil we believed untouchable
was soaked with the blood
of thousands – the blood of our own,
of loved ones, friends and strangers,
spilled in a baptism of fire and steel and concrete.
______
Heroes rushed in and perished.
More heroes came.
We donned our Red, White and Blue
and came together,
worked together, while we wondered, “How?”
______
A generation later,
the puzzle has been “solved”
and yet, we still wonder,
but we have learned -
or have we?
***
Just my random thoughts this morning. Thanks for reading.
About the Creator
Dana Crandell
Dad, Stepdad, Grandpa, Husband, lover of Nature and dogs.
Poet, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist
My poetry collection: Life, Love & Ludicrosity
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*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler6 days ago in Interview
Comments (21)
Very well written
Very moving and contemplative... We should always ask if we've actually learned something or are we just re-enacting the same tragedies over an over because we're not paying attention to those underlying factors in the world that force us to be as we are. Beautifully and heartfully written 💙Anneliese
Dana, this is awesome!!!💕♥️♥️ Your thoughts are pure authentic!!! It's a profound and sincere tribute to the day the veil was lifted. Never Forget 9/11!!!
♥️💯📝👌
Wow. This is inspiring, thought provoking and so beautifully written! Such a great way to honour a tragedy of unspeakable circumstances!
Oh my. This is amazing. And really, have we learned?
Never forget. Thank you for writing this powerful piece, Dana! 💞💫
Some questions cannot be answered.
Some have learned. Some still need to remember. Some will never learn. For those of us who get all three - we carry the torch lighting the way. Beautiful piece!
This was so tragic, profound and thought provoking! A very poweful poem!
To have truly learned would mean being willing to accept our own complicity in not only allowing it to happen (largely partisan politics & our sense of immunity) but also driving it to happen (our belief in the superiority of our way of life, our sense of privilege as though we've earned/deserved it rather than receiving it from birth, our sense of "rightness", all the while dismissing other ways & lives as at best secondary, at worst simply evil. Sorry to pontificate over a national tragedy. It's probably still too soon for most of us. (Will it ever not be?)
So powerfully expressed! Excellent work, Dana!
It was a shocking day. An evil so many of us had not seen before or been touched by. How innocent we were. It didn't seem real.
Beautifully penned & profound! Wonderful job Dana!
As a Reserve Naval Officer during these horrible incidents we were notified to stand by for immediate deployment. – My flag is out today with respect – *Miss the Double-Docs?
The day that changed everything. You said this so very well.
Thank you for sharing these words. My heart is always heavy this day thinking of all that was lost. I hope we've learned but sometimes I wonder too.
I loved this poem It was so tragic and profound! You have a real way with words Dana and I'm happy that I was able to share in them :)
The Naval Academy was one of my customers. I went there and handed out water and snacks from my vending company to those standing guard. Every facility around DC was on high alert. 9/11 and the day Kennedy was shot are two days that will always remain vivid in my memory.
Deep thoughts Dana. There are always events that make us stop and contemplate life, and this is one of the big ones in the current era.
Damn, Dana...this is incredibly relatable and hits the nail on the head. Even for someone non-American, I felt and agreed with every emotion and sentiment. This is incredible writing, as ever, Dana! Well done! I predict a Top Story!