The view posted here of the Williamsburg Bridge and the twin towers is just about what I saw to my left everyday as I headed to take the subway to work in Manhattan. On 9/11, I was late and woke up to the news that the first tower had been hit. My friends and I stood on a Brooklyn rooftop watching everything happen across the water, feeling totally powerless. People filtered over the bridge, covered in soot, confused, and shaken. In the days and weeks after, it was absolutely necessary that people come together to comfort and clean-up — and feel a sliver of redemption somehow through those acts.

Now, the New Orleans tragedy is ongoing and people are still hurting. I hope similar efforts carry on parallel to post-9/11 and that relief is on the way for those who remain displaced and in shelters. I hope the media doesn’t abandon the stories. I hope the accounts still roll in.

In the meantime, the Red Cross is asking for volunteers, 40,000 to be exact. You can also give blood and other items to help out.

MiPo Radio offers up a special commerative show today featuring poetry by Denise Duhamel and music by Birdie Jaworski. Tune in.

p.s. For any takers on the benefit show tonight (see below), I may not be going after all. I forgot I have to teach on Long Island at 8 a.m., which means getting up by 6 a.m., which means I need sleep. I’m not in my twenties anymore. Go and be fruitful without me, please!

Poetry Politics