Sanae Mori 9/11/2001
On a school trip to Paris
you slept upon my shoulder
and I dared not move for hours
sleepy Sanae, sat up too late again
meeting some deadline.
On every television, planes
demolish buildings endlessly
and we don't understand.
At Notre Dame we waited at day's end
everyone back but Sanae
at last you came, sated with Monet –
we all relaxed then
and began the journey home.
Still on our screens tall buildings
devour planes repeatedly
still we don't understand.
Neat hair, smart suit, brisk walk
you looked so fine when you came back
to visit us one day -
good student Sanae doing well
at university.
Again and again the planes,
the buildings,
our failure to understand.
We heard about your training course at WTC –
rumours, then doubts, then lastly
a hopeless certainty -
Sanae was there - she's missing -
she will not be found.
Ever and ever again we'll see
those planes, those buildings
but we'll never understand.
Author: Hugh Mitchell
Pieter Schram 11/2/1999
ISSE History Teacher, 1987 - 1991
Of Greek Proportions
Upon hearing
the news
of a friend's death
two of his children
swept to sea
he saved one
and drowned
with the other
his loved ones stunned
into submission
and dreams of sleep
I seek refuge
turn to pen
and paper
the terrible sun
still shines
on that Portugal beach
Author: anonymous