Thursday, September 11, 2008

A world in which we can look at each other and see the good

Today is a special day of remembrance. A day to honor the people who died on September 11, 2001. It is an opportunity for us to hope for a better world for our children. And not just to hope, but to create that world ourselves. A world not ruled by fear and fear mongers. A world that we can stand proud in, with honor. A world in which we can look at each other and see the good. Evil exists. Everywhere. But, if we turn our backs to hope and most importantly love, it will be a tragic world indeed.


To Hope
By John Keats

When by my solitary hearth I sit,
And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom;
When no fair dreams before my "mind's eye" flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Whene'er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon's bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
Peep with the moonbeams through the leafy roof,
And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof!

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene'er the fate of those I hold most dear
Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbidfancy cheer;
Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Should e'er unhappy love my bosom pain,
From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

In the long vista of the years to roll,
Let me not see our country's honour fade:
O let me see our land retain her soul,
Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom's shade.
From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed
Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!

Let me not see the patriot's high bequest,
Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!
With the base purple of a court oppress'd,
Bowing her head, and ready to expire:
But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings
That fill the skies with silver glitterings!

And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil'd face of heaven afar:
So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
Waving thy silver pinions o'er my head!




** Girl with heart balloon courtesy of Google Images

** Children's artwork after September 11th courtesy of Google Images


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10 comments:

  1. I have a image on my computer that says, "create the life you always wanted." It is a powerful message that I remind myself of day after day.

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  2. Yes, what cheri said! "but to create that world ourselves." So well said. Thank you for sharing the pictures and poem. Such a good post for the 9/11 that is today.

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  3. we underestimate the significance of each moment of each day. it's the day -to-day way we live our lives that is so important -- that will bring change.

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  4. "hold hands, hold hearts, hold peace" - I love that!

    The poem reminded me of a poetry class I took in college. The professor would read poetry to us and I would go into a trance. I loved that class.

    Speaking of classes, when are you going to enlighten us on the opposite sex? WE NEED TO KNOW. (I just want a good laugh)

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  5. Just. So. Wonderful.

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  6. Hear, hear. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

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  7. Oh man... hold hands, hold hearts, hold peace.

    I absolutely LOVE that.

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  8. Sept 11...a day that is there to remind us that LIFE is unpredictable and hope is all we've got...

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