Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Exceptional

What a horrible day that was, Mary. Your words capture the spirit of all rescuers involved. They truly were the heroes--running into the building as others were running away. I thank God that they were there and able to help those that they did reach. You did a great job with your poem--the words flow from your heart, the rhymes are great, and the message at the end is super. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2020

Thank you very much, Jan, for your exceptional and moving review. The rescuers were truly remarkable, each one a gift from God.
I appreciate everything you wrote about my poem, which will continue when I can pull together more notes etc. It is 28 stanzas altogether, but seemed too long to expect people to read, all at once.
Sending respect and best wishes to you, too! - Mary Kay

Comment from RShipp

Excellent

Thanks for all the informative notes you attached.

"Risking their lives, they persevere,
For a tapping sound they hope to hear."
I have never been in that situation, but I can't imagine the nerve-wrecking intensity of hour upon hour in hope...

Well done.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2020

You're welcome, and thanks for your excellent review. It was easy to share the poem because it was already written, but the Notes took some work to assemble -- to have footnotes properly placed and accurate. It helps to be a little obsessive :-)
Yes, rescuers searching for life amid rubble of many disasters often listen for sounds, as signs of life. I don't know if it was 9/11 or an earthquake somewhere, but I heard that rescuers would dig and suddenly everything would stop for a short period of silence, listening for the sounds of any victims -- yes, it could get very intense, I agree. In the very beginning of the search, I think some victims were found, but after a few days it became a recovery and cleanup operation. There was a pit of debris so smoldering hot, that no one could have been alive in it. Yet it didn't stop some of us from hoping, at least for awhile -- so sad. Even if you didn't know anyone personally, you wanted there to be more survivors.
I appreciate your thoughts. - Mary Kay

Comment from Miss Cookie Atkinson

Excellent

This is a marvelous write, your words touched every one's heart and soul these things I know.
This was something we never thought would happen a attack in America or taking down the twin Towers. This is a day we shall never forget.
Thank you for your heart felted poem.
Cookie

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you so much, Cookie, for your beautiful review. Yes, the attacks were so unexpected, no one could have known what was coming -- well actually there were clues about what the terrorists were planning, and unfortunately the information was not taken seriously. But it's true, the average person had no way of anticipating the disaster we endured that was 9/11. They tried to bomb one of the towers in 1993, and I know that they put very good security procedures into those buildings after that (because I did temp work there), but no one expected people to turn our own planes into missiles.
I appreciate your comments very much.
- Mary Kay

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

Those were horrible days of pain and suffering and uncertainty. It was wonderful that the county came together and so many were willing to volunteer their services. Poems written at emotional times like this are the best kind. They express true feeling. Your poem is very well written and enjoyable to read. Are you making a book of the poems you wrote during that period? I see this is chapter 3. This is a nice idea.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you so much for your excellent and very meaningful review. Yes, I think we saw the best and the worst of human nature in those days. They were vicious attacks on our country and our people, but so many people responded heroically, some giving their lives -- others working to help ease the stress of the situation and restore order to the chaos that was Ground Zero. There was a different attitude prevalent for awhile, that of kindness for others and respect for life.
This was chapter 2 of a very long poem. I divided it into parts, because I thought it might be too long for people to read all at once. I'm glad you like the idea. I might add some memoirs to it, after I post Chapters III and IV of my poem.
I appreciate your thoughts, Beth. - Mary Kay

Comment from Drew Delaney

Excellent

This is so very excellent Mary! It was the saddest day to happen in our generation and things since have changed drastically. Those poor souls and their families will forevermore be remembered.
Drew xx

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you, Drew, for your review, so excellent and heartfelt. We do remember those who "took the hit" for our nation, almost 18-1/2 years ago, and ever since. Every year, on 9/11, their names are read out loud, on the site where they died. They and their families have our undying respect. Yes, it changed so many things for us.

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Day Four: Hope from Ashes Part 2
by Mary Kay Bonfante

Hello, Mary Kay,

Your poem about war is very well written. Your heartfelt words ring true and honor the fallen soldiers. Well done.

Gypsy

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you, Gypsy, for your excellent review. The category of the poem was "War and History," and there were 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon that day -- however most of those who were murdered in the attacks were first responders (firefighters, police and other emergency personnel) and civilians. They were among the victims the terrorists attacked, and it did feel like an act of war, from about 10 miles away, as I watched on TV and smelled the burning buildings in NYC.
Then our government sent troops overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan, and finally caught the mastermind, Osama bin Laden, at his compound in Pakistan.
We will always honor our fallen soldiers, but we had heroes both on the ground that day, and in the air, in many kinds of uniforms, and in civilian clothing. There are so many stories of rescue and heroism, and so many who gave their lives.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Thank you so much for helping us remember with your thoughtful poem and all your great references and facts. It's really mind-boggling, thinking of how many people are still feeling that trauma. Thank you to people like your husband who helped during this great time of need. I especially liked:
" sign from the rubble, all toppled and ashen,
O God of all hope, pour out your compassion!"

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

I am glad to share this, Helen, because it was so real to me, and even though it's so grievously painful, we must always remember it. Yes, Jorge was a devoted volunteer, and I would like to add some memoirs about him eventually (along with my own), if I can figure out how to add chapters of prose to a book of poetry.
Thank you for your excellent review, and for mentioning that last stanza, which wraps up Chapter II; there are two more to post! There are indeed many who are still feeling the trauma and also perishing from 9/11-related illnesses, especially the rescue and recovery workers. We have to take care of them, and not abandon them, or their families. May God help and protect us all.

reply by lyenochka on 07-Mar-2020

Good question about mixed poetry and prose book. I think you can just write it as free verse - maybe? I found once I have a work in a book, I could not transfer a chapter to another book.

reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

I was thinking of writing the prose as a nonfiction story, then adding it to the Day Four book -- if that worked. Otherwise, it would all be prose written into the poetry format -- not exactly free verse (because it would have sentences and paragraphs), but it might look that way.
What you did was different -- trying to transfer a chapter from book to book. I also have to keep changing the name of the poem, adding the Chapter # to "Day Four" or I found that the system will reject it (because the continuation has the same title and that's not allowed).

reply by lyenochka on 07-Mar-2020

Thanks for letting me know. I haven't tried to change the name of a book. But I could change the title of poems and short pieces.

reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Oh there was no problem changing the title of anything. I wanted to use the same title for the continuing poem within the book, and the system rejected that. I would have just written "Chapter II" etc. under the title, but I had to include "Ch. 2" in the title of the poem on the new page, or the system saw it as a duplicate. It's a fine distinction.

reply by lyenochka on 08-Mar-2020

Oh, yes, I found that, too. It's tricky because sometimes, it would be good to use the same title.

reply by the author on 08-Mar-2020

Thanks, Helen :-)

Comment from Melissa Place

Exceptional

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! What a wonderful tribute to those brave rescuers and those who lost their lives. God bless, and may we never forget.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you so much, Melissa, for your exceptional and very meaningful review of Chapter II. I agree, we must never forget them. God bless you, too! - Mary Kay

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is excellent, Mary Kay, as you continue your epic poem on the 9/11. As mentioned previously we lived on L.I. for many years. Some of our friends were firefighters at that time and all responded to the tragedy. A terrible thing that woke up America's complacency (I hope). Marilyn

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you, Marilyn, for your excellent and very thoughtful review. I'm sure you did know firefighters who responded to the tragedy, because many who were stationed in NYC lived on Long Island -- besides those who came from Nassau and Suffolk fire departments to help. So sad, how off-duty firefighters rushed to answer the call, and so many lost their lives! It did wake up our complacency to a large degree for keeping our country more secure, but I don't think it has woken us up from spiritual complacency. We need a massive revival, a greater focus on God, but instead many turn away. We need Him now, more than ever.
- Mary Kay

Comment from evesayshi

Exceptional

In my opinion, an absolutely stunning write, in flawless rhyming rhythm and movement, clearly defining a day we will never forget. I actually saw the planes, both of them, crash into the towers. I was watching the Today Show on TV, and as I recall, I didn't think the coverage real initially. I believe the newscaster felt the same for just a moment in time as well...

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2020

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

Thank you very much for your exceptional and very meaningful six-star review of Chapter II. Yes, there was a very unreal aspect to the disaster, initially. It had to be a strange moment, when even the newscaster doubted what was happening right there on live newsfeed.
I appreciate everything you wrote.

reply by evesayshi on 07-Mar-2020

You are very welcome, Mary Kay, a stunning and descriptive write, and thank you for your view of my review...Eve

reply by the author on 07-Mar-2020

You're very welcome also, Eve!

reply by evesayshi on 08-Mar-2020

Have a glorious Sunday, Mary Kay...Eve