Artists Registry

The following was written around the time of the 10 year Anniversary of September 11, two years ago. It ran as my lead story in a magazine I publish called the Los Feliz & Silver Lake Community Guide.

I Will Remember You
People, Places, Thoughts for the Season

The 10-year anniversary of 9/11 occurred a few months ago, and like certain memories in our lives, will never completely go away.

I had published my first issue of the Community Guide and was preparing for the Holiday Issue of 2001. I thought about a bright, festive; candlelit interior or exterior for the cover… and then September 11th changed that season, my cover, and our lives forever. I found a photo of Roy Rogers in red, white and blue cowboy attire, atop Trigger, at the Gene Autry Museum in their gift shop. Roy had a stern face of resolve (like he knew years ahead of his time what had happened) and I knew that would be the cover of my 2nd publication. I published an excerpt of something I had written about the immense tragedy. Like most Americans, I wanted the person or persons responsible, I wanted accountability—I wanted revenge. Mostly, I wanted my heart back.

In an unrelated incident, my step-sister Darlene took an overdose of medication 10 days before Christmas, and went into a coma, came back to us for a while and then died in January. Months before that, I had written a poem about 9/11 and shared it with my sister—I believe that was one of our last conversations. She liked the poem that I never submitted anywhere and felt that something good, somehow, would come out of all of this. She tried to be positive in the wake of this horrible tragedy, and brought me some comfort in that moment, as she had in so many moments as siblings of the same age. At her memorial, “I Will Remember You”, by Sara McLachan was the background song for decades of pictures of my sweet, free--spirited sister.

For all of us, this is the 10th anniversary of the attack on September 11th, and for me the 10-year anniversary of my sister’s death as well as the 10-year anniversary of my participation in the Community Guide. I believe we will postpone our celebration for another time.

I was very moved by the story of the September 11th Memorial at ground zero, and the architect’s vision of holes pouring water into the Hudson River. I wrote some inadequate words that I will share with you—what could possibly be adequate. I thought, ‘Who am I to write about this?’ I am not a national poet. We all need and deserve to express ourselves—for many, including me, it’s hard not to critique or edit ourselves in that process. Not everything we write needs to be important to the entire world or even printed—sometimes it just needs to be important to us, or our family. I’m not sure if I have a need or a desire to share it with you, but I believe I will exercise my right as it means something to me.

Reflections of September
A Remembrance of 9/11 and the Memorial

September 11th, 2011

Memories flow from a place embedded in our souls,
Branded on our hearts a decade ago~

10 years of rubble, steel, dust, decay—evidence of lives cut short or changed forever
Now swept away

Swept from the street, not from that place inside us,
That remains with us today~

Shared rides and donuts and coffee in hallways there—beginning or ending careers,
Supporting families, someone loved you, you loved someone dear~

From here and around the world you held the same hopes, dreams and fears~
On September eleventh, the sky turned gray, then tears

Lifetimes of memories now forever flow into the holes in the Hudson—A million moments now dance on the water, and shimmer and play in the sun~

You are part of everything now~ you are part of the one.

We trust that God embraced you long, long ago
And yet it is hard for most of us to let go—

Perhaps from this memorial structure
Healing begins again today,
We will hold you in our hearts forever~
But we release you on this day.

So many reflections in the water, many ages, and colors with similar desires~
Professional heroes and civilian ones, those held in planes and on the ground—
Your precious lives, the innocents, we remember you all…

Today and forever, we remember you all.

Gazing into the water, I see the reflection of you and me-- It is the face of us all~
Though now set free.

Steve Meek

Perhaps my life is an open book, because I believe it is not healthy to hold things inside. Some of us have a difficult time talking about things. There are people who will listen.

Please shop locally. See our retail pages on pages 14 and 15. Let’s also keep in mind that the greatest gift we can give to our friends and family is time. Real time, not just facebook time. Real hugs, face-to-face conversation. Smile at someone you don’t know. Be kinder than necessary to people—we never know the depth of another persons pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with those going through tough times and loss this season. Be open to miracles—‘tis the season.

I’m still looking for the good that my sister felt would somehow come out of all of this. I’d love to find it. I no longer want revenge—I want peace of mind, I want greater understanding between us all; I want the 3rd grade wishes of “Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men”. We can’t wrap up 9/11 in a neat little package. Perhaps we are striving though for greater communication and understanding between us all as a result. People from around the world died as a result of this tragedy—new human bonds have been forged across the globe—people who believe in the sanctity of human life, here and everywhere, unite. In the face of that tragedy, and still, we became the best possible Americans, the best possible human beings we could be. “A thousand questions of how became how can I help?” Is that what you meant sis?

In my first poem about 9/11 ten years ago, I suggested that we “honor those precious lives lost by mending past grievances with family members with compassion, tolerance and acceptance.” Life is too short. We can pay our respects to those we have lost by leading rich, full lives; by being the best we can be.

As my friend Veronica says, “Death does not conquer love.” But let us show as much love as we can in the living years. Welcome home to our troops in Iraq! Our thoughts and prayers are with our servicemen and women across the world.

Whether we say “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Hanukah” or “Happy Holidays”, there is an added spirit during the season no matter how we define it. We are the best we can be. We are thankful for our health and blessings and help and pray for those in need.

Much love to you and your families this holiday season.

Warmest Regards,

Steve Meek