09/10/2026
In August / September of 2002 I created this collage and in Spring of 2003 I wrote this poem.
Inspired by the 9/11 attacks, I, like so many, decided to make many changes in my life. In the weeks following the attacks I was acutely aware that my life was not going well and I was so grieved that I decided to makes changes that might help me get off the wrong track and somehow headed in a better direction.
A year later I found myself in a town where I knew no one taking classes to become a teacher. In August / September of 2002 I created this collage as a way to process all that had and still was happening. I had been given a huge 4’ x 4’ canvas and this image is what I decided to create with it.
In Spring of 2003 I took a creative writing class and we published a book of our writings at the end of the semester. I wrote this poem as part of my continued reflection and processing of the events of 9/11.
I didn’t live in the city at the time. I didn’t personally know anyone in or near those towers or any of the other locations. But it still hit me sooooo hard. There is still much I won’t share or don’t know how to share and I’m sure that is true for many who lived through this.
I can’t say that either of these are tremendously skilled pieces of art, but they were the only way I could express what I felt. And still feel when I see the old footage.
I had my class tonight read an excerpt from an article published in Esquire in 2003 entitled, “The Falling Man”. It is a powerful piece.
I’ve never shared this before except in that class and with my mom to whom I gave this book of poems.
I’m not sure why I wish to share it now. Maybe it’s everything going on in the world. Maybe it’s what’s going on in my state, but mostly I think I just don’t want us to forget. Don’t forget who flew those planes or why they did it. Don’t forget those who died inside, those who died by jumping, those who died when they ran in to save any and everyone they could.
Most importantly don’t forget where our hope comes from, where our strength comes from, where our love comes from. It come Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our life. Not from towers we build, but from trusting God.
