I tried to decide how I would write about 09/11 today…honestly, I don’t think I could come up with anything that won’t be said or written elswhere…it is day that will live with me forever…it is a day that truly changed my life forever…
What I will share with you are two poems by Mattie Stepanek about 09/11 written on 09/11/2001 and 09/12/2001. Mattie was an amazing inspirational child who was 11 years old when he wrote them. They are both poignant and stirring.
For our world
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
September 12, 2001
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
