He Was There

He didn’t go to work that day,

He saw it.

He went there.

The great explosions. Fear. Dismay.

He heard it.

He was there.

When embers started raining down,

Debris and bodies on the ground,

The pain, confusion all around,

He knew it.

He was there.

He wasn’t told the towers fell,

He breathed it.

He was there.

Engulfed by all the fires of hell,

He touched it.

He was there.

When first responders got in there,

And started beating back despair

True angels helping everywhere,

He felt it.

He was there.

David Handschuh, Pulitzer-nominated photojournalist, was among the few survivors of the horrific 9-11 attacks. This week, he and his wife, Staci, were visitors here in Edmonton, Alberta, to speak of his experiences.

It is a story that should never be forgotten, nor brushed aside.

This story--and his others--can be found on Instagram @flyingmanatee

Or follow him at www.davidhandschuh.com.

Mondays do get knocked a lot,

With poetry, we three besought,

To try to make the week begin,

With gentle thoughts--perhaps a grin?

So Jenny and Delores, we,

Now post our poems for you to see.

And when you’ve read what we have brought,

Did we help? Or did we not . . .

And next week in our neighbourhood,

We tackle 'sports'. It will be good!