Dust of the Earth.

after Abu’l-‘Ala’ al-Ma’arri
973 to 1057 A.D.


Dust of the Earth

Walking here at ground zero
of the collapsed Twin Towers,
I step carefully;
afraid my feet will tread
the dust of a smiling face
or a clenched fist.

During the ceremony at the pit,
the wind rises in gusts and
carries dust high above
us survivors to release the
spirits of the dead from these
their earthbound ashes.


© Sherman K. Poultney 24 October 2001 and 11 September 2002