Young oaks, fresh-leafed
uniformed
in naive acorn pride
stand tall in single file
guardians in memoriam
of those who died
– in Time –
gnarled with salt of tears
whorled in winds of sorrow
and furrowed with fires of rage
young grow old
in a different
age
toward the light, away from fear
with deferential bow
to a Callery Pear
beeblu blog 
Beautiful, sad, moving. The most telling image for me is the ‘young grow old in a dfifferent age.’ That’s a shame. It makes me feel quite teary thinking about it. Very well written.
Thanks, Selma – my hope for the children of this world is that they do indeed grow up in a different age – one of peace and enlightenment as far as war, hatred and fear goes
Beautiful tribute, BlueBee.
Thanks, Nancy – I loved the simplicity of the memorial design and the quiet there within the bustle of downtown Manhattan. Once the trees grow, I think it will become even more of a sanctuary
Fantastic poem that needed to be written. We all need to move ‘toward the light, away from fear’. I love the contrast you have utilised between the stanza with the young trees (uniformed etc.) and the next stanza. I watched a show that followed some people who had lost parents/partners etc., in 9/11 and it was amazing that over time (the 10 years), they got their lives back together and had come to a level of peace and acceptance, even about the ‘enemy’.
Thanks, Gabe – that documentary you talk of (‘Rebirth’) was a stand-out in a anniversary month of really depressing 9/11 documentaries on TV – like you say, the fact that they filmed the people over a period of 10 years really brought home the power of time as healer – a very positive commentary with a strong message of hope and acceptance – very interesting.
Thanks BB. I didn’t realise that oak trees were planted around the memorial.
A very moving tribute, BB. Being a New Forest lover, I particularly relate to your description of growing old in another age. But don’t we all do that? At 74, that’s how I am beginning to feel.
Thanks, John – the changes we see in the world over a lifetime are quite remarkable, aren’t they? I hope this generation of children see more change for good 🙂 With regard to the oak trees at the memorial site, you may be interested in this link which explains why they selected the particular type of oak – http://www.hortmag.com/plants/9-11-memorial-trees
I love that first photo. I didn’t realise it was so deep. You can’t see that on tv.
Thanks, Tilly – the middle section goes even deeper – I believe there was a lot of controversy about the design
Trees always add so much as a memorial, bb, and this one was special, ‘she’ was saved, somehow, nurtured and has grown,… showing how there is always a chance of life after tragedy.., Wonderful tribute poem my friend. xPenx
Thanks, Pen – they do, and these oaks will be just beautiful as they mature. The old callery pear tree also apparently survived being blown over in a storm last year – http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/tree-that-survived-911-absorbs-another-blow/
Beautiful bb 🙂
There’s something about trees, Jan 🙂
Oaks have a steadfast beauty all their own. It is good to think of them growing into great trees in memory of those who died. Beautiful poem, BB.
That they do, Kate. Thanks
Beautiful poem, Bb, as are all wonderful old trees! This poem, to me, is one of your very best, especially from the second stanza to the end – brilliant!
Thank you for these lovely words, Adeeyoyo
So stunning and gorgeous, Bluebee – it makes me cry.
Thanks, Monica – trees for hope
What a sad day it was. The fear, the anxiety, the painful anguish for those who perished…the images linger to this day.
92 nationalities represented in the people who died in this terrible event, Don and as you say, years of anguish for survivors and those who lost their loved ones. War is terrible and utterly futile – it solves nothing
Very beautiful.
Thanks, Mark
Wow. Really powerful stuff. Absolutely love it.
Thanks, Edward – I have been over to your blog and the quality and range of your writing is excellent