A Poem for 9/11

At a Spirit Rock retreat, a few short weeks after the attacks on September 11, 2001, Phillip Moffitt read this poem by Wendell Berry: 

 

Now you know the worst
we humans have to know
about ourselves, and I am sorry,

 

for I know that you will be afraid.
To those of our bodies given
without pity to be burned, I know

 

there is no answer
but loving one another,
even our enemies, and this is hard.

 

But remember:
when a man of war becomes a man of peace,
he gives a light, divine

 

though it is also human.
When a man of peace is killed
by a man of war, he gives a light.

 

You do not have to walk in darkness.
If you will have the courage for love,
you may walk in light.  It will be

 

the light of those who have suffered
for peace.  It will be
your light.

 

Blessings,

Roger