Poetry Pick

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

by Gertrude Olga Down
Ontario, Canada

In an instant a world exploded,
Torpedoed by hatred.
The walls of wealth wilted,
Security crumbled to ash,
Prosperity was ground to rubble.
Twin terror, measured in reams of paper,
Peppered the city streets.

Our fathers earned their daily bread
Between narrow slits of light.
Mothers laboured over electric spreadsheets,
Longing for languid relief.
Sons and daughters served lobster among clouds,
Poured dreams into china cups.

Symbolic pillars of progress
Or icons to greed:
Truth lies buried amid bright city lights.


 
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