'Angel of Remembrance: Candles for September 11, 2001' was originally written to commemorate the 6th anniversary of 9/11 and is now presented at Red Room in 2009 to commemorate the 8th.

1.

B.C.: With his brother's blood wet on his hands,
Cain ran vomiting future sorrows of man.

Petals of gold cloud
swirled bright eternal letters
too soon forgotten.

2575-2467 B.C.: Immersed in themes of an unfolding story,
Egypt's Fourth Dynasty blazed pyramids of glory.

Before time or space,
Possibility's Great Heart
sang creation's birth.

April 23, 1564: Undaunted by her agony and tears,
Mary Arden gave birth to William Shakespeare.

A new sun and moon
shined pathways of choice leading
to hate, love, death, life.

April 5, 1614: Following love's beacon through the night,
atoaka and Rolfe married peace to red and white.

History dressed up
in the glow of love's kiss turned
grief into beauty.

2.

March 10, 1913: After putting slavery and democracy to the test,
Harriet Tubman claimed a well-earned rest.

The stink of human
blood clotting the soul's nostrils
is less impressive.

February 4, 1968: "I just want to leave a committed life behind,"
said Martin Luther King, Jr., sharing visions with the blind.

Where humanity
sowed faith, hope, and unity,
joy's garden blossomed.

July 20, 1969: "...One giant leap for mankind," said Neil Armstrong,
living a miracle, for which many had strived hard and long.

Where ignorance shat,
violence and horror fed
the beasts of chaos.

September 11, 2001: Citizens of the U.S., besieged by terror's sting,
rose up, weeping glory, as if on eagles' wings.

As yet, within men,
women, and children--pathways
of choice still remain.

by Aberjhani
From The Bridge of Silver Wings 2009