Manhattan Rocks (to an ancient beat)
Search every inch
of each avenue.
Seek within the alleys.
Manhattan breathes
to a million beats.
Underneath
her deep metropolis
is the rhythm
of a heart that tatoos
in an oasis.
If one afternoon
in summer slumber
you cannot rest for
the want of peace,
listen to the
great Manhattan rock
beneath her sidewalks.
And at the very second
when all feet, all traffic
arrive at gridlock,
Manhattan might hold up
her breath for you.
© Berenice Dunford 2002
Dedicated to the those who have lived in, passed through and dreamed about Manhattan. In memory of September 11th 2001.
I wrote this poem after watching a documentary about the origins of New York City, and Manhattan in particular. The programme had been postponed for a few months due to the events of 9/11. I wept throughout it, as I had not been able to do so previously. On that September day I was with my father. While mum was at work, we spent some time together catching up on the farm chores. We had between us managed to empty and clean out the fresh water cistern and had come into the cottage to listen to the radio. I recall dad saying something about seeing if there was a good play we could listen to. A little after two o'clock in the afternoon we sat down. I would like to share with you the following moments and hours of shock and confused news reports, as I wrote them in my diary.
2.20pm:
Sometimes something happens that completely shakes one. I've just heard the news that two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. First one then the other. We (Daddy & I) are shocked. What the hell is going on??
3.05pm:
Something terrible I think. More news reports have just come through. Apparently it happened at around 2pm (9am New York time.) Possibly terrorists. Apparently 3 planes (of what type I don't know) were hijacked in Boston. The 3rd one's crashed elsewhere. The two crashed each into the two towers of the W.T.C. Both are on fire. One (the North) has collapsed. There are no reports yet of fatalities, injuries etc. But for sure there will be. This is terrible. So terrible. Once again the world has gone mad.
9.04pm:
There is nothing I can say to describe what has happened. We sat there in that rattly old kitchen and heard tragedy unfold - just happen. One after another after another. Just thinking "Oh my God! What next?" Two planes destroyed the World Trade Center and thousands of lives. One plane hit the Pentagon in Washington. One crashed outside Pensylvania. Unconfirmed reports of a car bomb and/or explosion in Washington. At least one plane in still missing. Two planes were hijacked. American airspace has shut down. We are on a state of alert. No flights in or out of America and Canada. None over London. Our Stock Exchange and other places evacuated. And on and on and on.
Goodnight America and God help you. Berenice.
That afternoon I made a statement to my dad which later came back to both haunt and comfort me. I told him that "we must never argue again. Who knows how much time we have left together." He died just under ten months later. We had not spoken a single word in anger to each other since that day in September. Midst all the sadness there are some things which are ever-burning lights. That promise is one. All of you who have suffered due to 9/11, be it directly or as distant witnesses, those who were there and did not return, and my dear old dad ( who was not so old), I sincerely hope that you too can find a ray of light. B xx
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