SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 VICTIMS This site is dedicated to the victims of September 11, 2001 tragedy.

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HEADACHE

I wrote this poem after visiting the WTC site in October of 2001. At that time I was still living in Monmouth County, a place where so many were lost. I added the first stanza after moving to NC, where it seems as though, in this state, people know about 9/11, but don't really pay as much respect to the events of that day.

The headache, caused by the raging images, quickly goes away.
You hear it on the news, you see the others cry,
But something doesn’t quite enter your soul, doesn’t make you ask “Why?”
Until you reach the ground where the foundation crumbled as the buildings perform a lethal sway.

The heartache is indelible; it makes you look away.
You don’t want to accept it, but you must,
And any punishment that is given cannot be too just.
When you reach the ground where the foundation crumbled and the buildings performed their lethal sway.

The soul-ache deep inside causes you, in this great city, not to go away.
You feel you must stay, that you must do something to help
As the insomniac city gives out a strong, defiant yelp.
This is the feeling of the ground where the foundation once crumbled and the buildings performed their lethal sway.

The aching hurts, it just won’t go away,
But in this time of trial comes a brand new day
In which we must live to fight our fate
To further prevent such an awful date.

For in this city of both splendor and ruin
Comes resilience like the attack of a bruin.
Strong and fierce, oh so mighty
To further prevent such an awful date.

We see it rise up to settle the score
Through all of the bloodshed, destruction and gore.
It lifts the spirits, but fuels the hate
Hoping to prevent another awful date.

Through time, the growing cancer has pressed against our shore,
And with its touch our heart has become torn
Torn between love, hate and reaction
While raising a once forgotten affection.

© 2001-2002 Alex Spektor, www.september11victims.com