by LRS aka Amerigal

September 11, 2004

a ferry ride without SWAT teams

I want                          peace of mind

buildings without barricades

I want my city back

politicians to remember what they are supposed to do -- and do it

I want                          people outside NYC to understand how we live now

my old life back

I want that it didn't happen

freedom from fear                  

I want                          a subway ride without panic attacks

to forget the smell

 I want to stop crying

my family to be safe

I want                           the world that I dreamed of in my youth

                                    my skyline back

I want September 10^th

 Very eloquent; I am glad you chose to post this.

Pam

Amerigal,

Isn't it sad that we can never get it back?  There will forevermore be 9/11 hanging over us.  Your words are powerful reminders of that and I thank you for writing this.  We are fortunate that we live in a strong nation that can pull together when the need arises.  And I will remember also the way Americans wanted so badly to help NYC.  Some people from Central NY made the trip downstate.  I can also remember lines of folks at the blood banks donating, some for the very first time, just in case it was needed.  Sadly it was not.  I also think of the prisoners who collected money and sent good wishes to NYC.  EVERY American was affected and hurt by that day. And those of us who lived through it, will never forget.  But for some of my friends and many others living in NYC, that day held a special and more personalized trauma.    Please know that our thoughts are with all of you who suffered the most, especially those who lost friends and loved ones on that day. 

Kathy

This was the first thing I read this morning.  Very eloquent.  9/11 is my niece's birthday.  I wish 9/11 was just my niece's birthday.

Thank you Amergal...for the poem, and for sharing "your" city with me...I've thought about you today, your stories about your dad and the WTC and the wonderful memories you made there.  When I was on the phone with you that day back in December, I was one block away from the "hole in the sky" and will always be grateful to have shared that moment with you.

I'm glad you posted--we've missed you!

Amerigal,

 Thank you for sharing with us. I hope since you originally wrote this poem that your days are better. I think we all still wish it could be September 10, 2001. Yesterday was still hard for me, probably always will be. I am a medic and the sense of loss of a family (emergency workers are family no matter where we are or where we go) even though I didn't know them is still great. I read this last night actually, but after a day of memorial services and trying to get through work, and lots of tears I couldn't think of the words to post. While we live in a different world today, it is our world and we have to make the most of it. My thoughts and prayers are with all who lost someone that fateful day. They will never be forgotten. Okay I'm crying again.

Holly