This Poem was Submitted By: Paul R Lindenmeyer On Date: 2005-09-02 14:05:55 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Crucible of the Towers

                                                           Spilling over.......................                                                         in abundance......                                                        Personified...                                                       "No greater love.........."                                                      most noble of human traits                                                     and sustain that                                                     and again and again                                                   again and again                                                  thoes stairways                                                 To all who go up                                                           "Tower One is collapsing!"                                                          The radio squawks back,                                                         "We're on the 31st floor!"                                                        The leader shouts,                                                                and another.                                                               and another                                                              and another                                                             and up another                                                            stairways,                                                           shaking                                                          smoke filled,                                                         dark                                                        Up
Copyright © September 2005 Paul R Lindenmeyer

Additional Notes:
In Memoriam. Lest we forget..To Brother Lt.,and Engine 30, CFD..and all who daily offer their lives for the greater good.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-10-02 17:59:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.91667
PAUL, You are right to honor the heroes of 911. In this poem, I walked your stairs, I can't imagine going up when it's falling down. Pure death staring you in the face. And accepting that fact, moving onward and upward. It gives me faith in mankind. Your stair visualization is perfect, effecting one doing the climbing. To put an artist emotion into his work is the highest showing of talent. And you did this here. Congratulations on such a heartfelt work of art. You must publish this.[do it/in the newspaper or such] hugs Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jillian K Sorenson On Date: 2005-09-30 23:46:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.41667
The sentiment here is good, and poignant since it is September and we are having disasters of another sort. However, the typos here detract from the message - "thoes" should be those, and the second instance of "stairways" should probably be "stairway." Otherwise well done and well worded.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-09-25 17:25:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul, Hearing the released radio communiqués reawakened the day. Yours is a visual of the Towers, with the weakness of the form. I appreciate this. Mostly, I have seen time and again those who must, rush into situations to save the needy, and having been one myself, I sort of read your piece, and put myself into the moment. I thought about the move. They were men, who did not hesitate to save a life, and many of them joined the losses. Such a poignant piece you have written. Thank you for the thoughts. There is too much precious here to forget.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-09-13 16:01:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.85714
Hi Paul, I remember reading and responding to this poem way back in 2001. I was 21 years old back then and was rattled by the events that brought humanity to a stand still. This piece today reminds us of the darker yesteryears but also resonates with the hope that there are heroes watching over us. September 11th brought heroes to the fore, who blackened the faces of terrorists the world over even as they went about the task of saving lives with utmost bravery and selflessness, losing their own in the bargain. This poem is a tribute to great ideals and there is no better way of recognising this than against the backdrop of absolute horror. Thanks for re-submitting this, in its innovative style (the stair structure). Take care, Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-09-10 23:03:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul, Absolutely perfect, I dont' care if we aren't suppose to say that in a good critique for it is the truth in this case. Well structured, easy flow of words and the visual packs a punch. You have so aptly described the events and the feelings of 911, almost as if you were the hero rushing in to rescue the helpless victims of the twin towers, this is so unbelieveably graphic in it's simplicity.....Thank you so much for the memoriam, let none of us forget the events, the heros or the victims. Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Gerard A Geiger On Date: 2005-09-07 01:15:38
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Paul; A worthy poem, filled with the trepidation and foreboding which would accompany the act of climbing stairs in a smokefilled vertical channel...to rescue others from certain destruction... Wonderful understanding of the presence of mind of heroes in the act of doing what they must do for what they all commonly recognize as the Better Good,i.e., saving their fellow man. Thank you for your understanding and for transmitting it to all through the creation of this fine memorial piece. Your friend, Gerard
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2005-09-03 20:52:51
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Paul, What a tug at my heart this was, yes, lest we forget. I like the structure of this piece, good job with that. The repetition of certain lines, takes impact on the reader, as if in suspense for a moment, while going up the stairway. The crews that responded to this: were truly brave, and courageous people, that went above and beyond that day. (Personal note: My son, is an EMT that volunteered 9/11 evening from 3am - 11am), with a group from his squad that formed to volunteer. I pray that we as Americans never experience anything like this tragedy again. Very nice dedication. Sincerely, DeniMari
This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2005-09-02 21:16:50
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul--There are many civil servants who are put through this test daily, but there are none more courageous or face more hazardous situations than fire fighters. This is a fitting tribute offered by your concrete poem. The layout lends it- self well to the theme and tone of the piece. An imaginative and terse post. TLW
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