WoPoLi

Ode to September 11th then and now

Ode to September 11th then and now

Sept 11. 911, 2001, The towers took a fall,
A plane’s cruel strike sealed a dire date,
Sad, but just news, probably nothing, but it was.
Another plane played a game of wrecking ball,
In September’s hush, towers met their fate.

Another plane struck, and all was not the same,
Fear crept into our hearts, tears welled in our eyes,
I cry just thinking about it today.
The world watched a fourth plane, a tragic game.
Innocence shattered, under clear blue skies.

The radio’s voice, its solemn decree,
Tears in my eyes, I gazed at the sky,
It changed us, we questioned. we asked why?
“We are under attack,” struck fear in me.
It was war, life as we knew it, said goodbye.

Yet from this dark moment, a hope did grow,
That in the face of terror, we could stand so tall,
They told us; Don’t stop living.
Be brave, and we were.
And together we’d rise, no matter the fall.
Our courage awakened, we would not bow low.

From the ashes, a nation did unite,
From the ashes, a nation did arise,
We decided to live, and we did.
To face the darkness and emerge with might.
With unity and courage, we began to realize…
We were in control of our own lives.

Twenty years- 2021- 911, with a viral fight,
They bade us to fear, to cease our quest.
News, always sad, will cost us everything, and it did.
A vaccine, a mask, in the dimming light,
We forgot our strength, deep in our chest.

We were at war, it was a viral strife,
How odd, a shot, a booster, the virus did thrive,
I cry just thinking about it today.
A vaccine’s promise, to reclaim our life,
They said, “Don’t live,” but we’re alive!

They bid us to fear, to hide in despair,
Two weeks, flatten the curve, wait for a vaccine…
They told everyone to be afraid, and we were.
It’s in the water, the ground, the air.
Two months, stay home, a booster, quarantine,
with vaccines, boosters, and masks on the face.
In this new world, we found ourselves out of place.

It changed us, don’t question, don’t ask why!
They told us to fear, and our souls were shaken,
We’re the brave ones, but we were mistaken!
Tears in my eyes, I gaze at the sky,
In this dark moment, we are laid low
They told us to stop living, and we did.
Innocence-lost, as our freedoms say goodbye.

Did we forget? Do we not know?
Our courage asleep, in ashes, our nation polarized
Our loved ones died alone, to ashes one and all,
We decided to die, and we did,
Without unity, when will we realize,
Unless we take back control, our nation will fall.

Response

  1. Salie Davis Wopoli.com Avatar
    Salie Davis Wopoli.com

    It goes without say the profound emotional impact of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. It conveys the fear, grief, and collective shock that followed the fall of the Twin Towers and the crash of the planes. The country lost a sense of security and trust in the world.

    Historically, 9/11 marked a turning point that led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as major shifts in national security policies, including the Patriot Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The poem suggests that, despite the devastation, there was a period of national unity and resilience

    The initial strength and unity that followed 9/11 stands in contrast to the fear-driven responses to the pandemic. Historically, the pandemic also reshaped the nation in a way that has had lasting effects, such as economic disruption, polarized political debates, and ongoing struggles over public health measures like masks, vaccines, and quarantines. Unlike 9/11, which united the country, the pandemic has led to division and fear.

    Fear dictated societal responses during the pandemic, contrasting with the call to bravery that followed the terrorist attacks. Post-2020, the pandemic was marked by widespread debate over government control, mandates, and personal freedom, much like the discussions post-9/11 about the balance between national security and civil liberties. The response to COVID-19 may have resulted in a loss of autonomy and freedom.

    Both 9/11 and the pandemic are moments in which America lost a sense of innocence. After 9/11, it was a loss of security and trust, while during the pandemic, it was a loss of unity and personal freedoms. Divisions and fear-driven responses of the pandemic could have lasting negative effects on the country if not addressed.

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From the blog

About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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