It's September 11

I feel like it's heartless not to say something. I didn't listen to NPR today. Someone complained that their programming the other week over-emphasizing Katrina. The listener suggested they call their afternoon show "One Thing Considered." I imagine today was similar. It's a date that needs to be remembered with an open mind and an open heart. I share two items in memory of the events of September 11th.

1. When I was a high-schooler, I did a series of "reports" on the life of a senior in high school for the local NPR station.It's interesting to go back and listen to it now. Some parts of it seem so selfish to me - like worrying about the draft or when I say "why does this have to happen MY senior year" as if the entire world revolves around my circle of life.
2. There was a lot of crappy memorial music written after 9/11. There is one song that is far from that, which has stuck in my head today.
   

In Yayse Barnwell's song "Let Us Rise in Love" she sings to an infant:

"DEAR ONE,I NEVER THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD WITNESS SUCH A TIME
I HEAR YOU CRY.
DEAR ONE,
THERE IS A REASON FOR THESE THINGS, BUT THERE’S NO RHYME.
I HEAR YOUR WHYS.
I DON’T HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS
I DON’T HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS
BUT I KNOW THIS IS A MOMENT OF TRANSCENDENCE
IF ONLY WE WILL TAKE THE TIME TO CARE.
LET US, LET US RISE IN LOVE
LET US, LET US RISE IN LOVE"
(Read the rest of the lyrics here)

There are two things that stick out to me in this text- the first is that "There is a reason for these things, but there'y no rhyme" and then later "I know this is a moment of transcendence". This sort of stoic confidence comforts me. It's so easy to "fall back" on nationalism in times of tragedy. I guess that's ok, maybe it's a way of grieving, but that's not what this song is about. It's about action - about rising in love. It's beautiful. Click on the CD cover to go and hear a clip of the song at Amazon.