Tuesday, September 11, 2012

If I Could Have Just a Moment...

Taking Pictures by Petr Kratochvil

I was sitting on my couch nursing my five month old daughter watching the news on a morning that was very much the same as every day,  when the broadcast was interrupted with news that a plane had crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center, a seemingly freak accident.  Then as I watched the live coverage of the towers and saw the impact of the second plane, I just couldn’t help but hold her closer as I sobbed, not knowing yet what the full implications would be but certain that she would be growing up in a much-different world than the one I had known as a child.

Military Casket by Susan Buck MS
The terrorist attacks on September 11 are a moment that changed my view of the world and defined a generation, much as the Kennedy assassination did for my parents and the bombing of Pearl Harbor did for my grandparents.  Seminal events like these seem to happening with increasing frequency, and with modern advances in technology we witness them in our own living rooms in real time.  However, smaller, more personal moments play just as big a role in our lives.
Tears by Alena Kratochvilova
Think about the moments that we live each day…birthdays, a new job, falling in love, moving to a new home, the loss of a loved one.  While none of these events may change the course of history, all of these little moments leave their imprint upon us and change our worlds.
Young Love by Sharee Basinger
So my challenge to you this week is to pick your moment…any moment…and capture it poetically to share with the rest of us by signing up with Mr. Linky.  Please remember to mention Poetry Jam in your post.  And be sure to take a moment or two to visit with the other poets who participate in this prompt, cooperation helps our poetic community grow!
Colorful Birthday Cake by Katrina Joyner
Note:  All of the images I used in this week's prompt can be found at publicdomainpictures.net.

Mary Mansfield from Write Wing Conspiracy



21 comments:

  1. I wrote mine for PJ; but posted it a couple other places....but it was the Moments idea that inspired me. I really believe each moment of life is important & also that things CAN change greatly in just one moment. Looking forward to reading yours.

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  2. It's kind of funny how things work out...I knew this would be going up on September 11 and wanted to be topical but not give out a prompt that would end up being really dark (mostly because I find myself poeming in the darkness so much) and what do I end up doing? Writing a poem about that horrible day...but it came out well, so I'm happy. I guess the dark suits me. Looking forward to seeing what the talented folks around here can come up with for this one!

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  3. interesting...i think i could post most any of my poems...ha...its all about capturing the moments...will see if i cant get you something special by morning though...

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    1. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Brian!

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    2. thanks mary...had fun with it...

      read everyone through the morning...cant access from work, so will catch any from the day this evening...its been a nice ying yang between light and dark so far...

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  4. What a fantastically intriguing prompt. Okay, I am going to bed, but in the morning....I will be Back!!!! I so loved your poem about 9/11 . You really captured it.

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  5. My moment in time ... sad, dark, life altering.

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  6. This was a moment--not as dark as 9/11, still was a moment I won't ever forget

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  7. May everybody know the real value of love and life....then these things won't happen...I wish...

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  8. i picked an everyday moment....one that could be life changing...but very much in the ordinary....

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  9. almost 5am and i've been working on my poem, Mary. it just isn't pulling together, so i may let it sit a day or two. but i will be back. it's a great prompt!

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  10. What a fantastic assortment of poems so far! I've laughed, cried, and reminisced my way through them...can't wait to see what else may be coming. Thanks so much for playing along with me everyone!

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  11. Mary, my middle child was only two-weeks old when 9/11 occured. We were doing the same thing.

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  12. I chose to wrote about my Dad after reading what someone else wrote about her Dad. It is a moment seared into my memory now these 43 years later. I have enjoyed reading the poems--lots of different directions as always.

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  13. My mind is away with the fairies this past few days. Forgot all about this prompt but, will work on something for it :)

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  14. I was so happy to see this prompt. I knew I needed to write a poem to balance out a more troubling one and this was the push I needed. It is important to remember the good moments in life, especially when we get overwhelmed by the negative and horrifying ones like 9/11.

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  15. Helen, I loved your poem... what a sweet tribute to your father. But I can't leave a comment because the comment box isn't long enough for me... There's a space after OpenID... then Name/URL...

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  16. only two verses of my poem ended up being about my "moment" but it certainly was life-changing, as well as being one of those times when you KNOW you have a guardian angel watching out for you.

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  17. A little late but, better late than never :) Thanks Mary

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  18. I am still revising the poem I posted, not sure it yet expresses the value of these small moments in a large life.

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  19. As always, I'm amazed at the variety of great poems inspired by this week's prompt. Thanks so much to all of you for participating!

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After you post your poem and comment, please take the time to visit poems of other poets! People will add poems throughout the week, so check back every couple days to catch what is new.