Annette Marie Hyder

When I think of people around the world
in temples, mosques, cathedrals and fields
sending their prayers — like children running
up a mountain slope
like paper lanterns filled with flame
lifting against a dark sky
like joyous shouts and the most lowly of lamentations
braided into a Rapunzel braid or a flying carpet
with which to ascend the heavens
and see the breaths of so many exhaled in a wish for good
blowing out, not a million birthday candles but, a myriad acts of violence
it seems to me that the final word of such supplication
culminating into one bright spirit of morning
and the dawning of a new day
is Amen.


Links of interest:
Daily Herald Gallery: Honoring 9/11 around the world
CNN: World finds unique ways to mark 9/11 anniversary
Catholic Encyclopedia: Amen