One of the papers asked me for 150 words on ‘Where I was on 9/11’. So I sent them this:
I was with Phyllis, an elderly member of my congregation, in the Sheltered Housing at Edenderry Gardens, Portadown. We sat quietly and watched. Other residents joined us. I think we said a prayer.
Even then, I knew that this was a moment of history. I felt a personal connection. I’d been to the Windows on the World Restaurant. Our family had stood on the top of the North Tower and had a photograph taken inside. I thought about those people.
I was due to take a group from my parish to New York and Albany one week later. We who had lived with terrorism for many years would never allow it to change our plans. But people in New York were so shocked. They couldn’t think clearly. We delayed six months and stood quietly together at Ground Zero. I shall never forget it.
When the Towers
of human illusion fall
the wastelands appear
in poignant clarity
and in the midst
one man left standing
The Christ – The Reality
Looking back
toward the Citadels
the heart recoils in pity
the fallen Towers of human mastery
it was all a cardboard City
And the people
we stepped over
dismissed – with a meagre ration
are waiting in the wastelands
and greet us with compassion.