The Names
by Billy Collins,

Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night.
A soft rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze,
And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows,
I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,
Then Baxter and Calabro,
Davis and Eberling, names falling into place
As droplets fell through the dark.
Names printed on the ceiling of the night.
Names slipping around a watery bend.
Twenty-six willows on the banks of a stream.
In the morning, I walked out barefoot
Among thousands of flowers
Heavy with dew like the eyes of tears,
And each had a name —
Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal
Then Gonzalez and Han, Ishikawa and Jenkins.
Names written in the air
And stitched into the cloth of the day.
A name under a photograph taped to a mailbox.
Monogram on a torn shirt,
I see you spelled out on storefront windows
And on the bright unfurled awnings of this city.
I say the syllables as I turn a corner —
Kelly and Lee,
Medina, Nardella, and O’Connor.
When I peer into the woods,
I see a thick tangle where letters are hidden
As in a puzzle concocted for children.
Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an ash,
Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton,
Secrets in the boughs of an ancient maple.
Names written in the pale sky.
Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.
Names silent in stone
Or cried out behind a door.
Names blown over the earth and out to sea.
In the evening — weakening light, the last swallows.
A boy on a lake lifts his oars.
A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,
And the names are outlined on the rose clouds —
Vanacore and Wallace,
(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)
Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.
Names etched on the head of a pin.
One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.
A blue name needled into the skin.
Names of citizens, workers, mothers and fathers,
The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.
Alphabet of names in a green field.
Names in the small tracks of birds.
Names lifted from a hat
Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.
Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.
So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart.

Dmitri Shostakovich/Quattro Celli

On to Part 4 

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Comments

• Poetr…

very touching post

Monday September 10, 2007 – 06:57pm (EDT)

• Sunny…

…when tomorrow comes, it’s like living thru it all over again…….

Monday September 10, 2007 – 09:33pm (EDT)

• heath…

I find this incredibly sad.

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 01:29pm (EST)

• NARICE

Now they live in hearts and are names carried on the wind

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 10:34am (EDT)

• Bill

We can only honour the dead but the living who grieve never never find release from their pain. Theirs is a lifetime of sorry that never diminishes where the annual event revives each failed attempt at normality. Today my prayers are for the living and I am sure the dead would agree, God Bless You All.

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 04:45pm (BST)

• Tee-b…

I thought I could ignore this day, but the rain won’t let me this time. And I feel that is only right…I was thinking of the people who died that day and had a look at a tribute site online. Tears were streaming down my face as I realised I was only on the “A” page–those who had the last name that began with “A”–people of all nationalities, all their photos so beautiful and knowing that they left behind freinds and family who still grieve for them and how they had to die that day 6 years ago. Sue, I have a feeling you were even more devastated by 9/11/2001 and hope you are coping alright today

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 11:51am (EDT)

• Frida…

Touching. It was a shocking day for all, all over the world, but especially so for those who lived it directly. I hope you are feeling OK. A big warm hug. 🙂

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 11:38am (CDT)

• Afshe…

No more words I have at this time except ‘PEACE’ for you, me and all of human beings.

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 09:40pm (PKT)

• maria…

thanks again

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 11:45am (CDT)

• Laurita

I was very moved by this blog. Well expressed. I tried to do a blog of my own, but the words couldn’t come. Everything got so internalized on that day.

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 12:58pm (EDT)

• **Riv…

Lovely blog….and thank you for remembering.

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 05:18pm (EDT Remove Comment

• Trees…

🙂

Tuesday September 11, 2007 – 10:41pm (BST)

• antho…

lovely…

Wednesday September 12, 2007 – 12:09pm (MDT)

reply jonathan50 wrote on Dec 28, ’07 I saw this unfortunate tragedy on TV, as it was happening, and had to remind myself that the destruction of WTC was not a movie…or a dream! I have visited the Towers 3 times between 1980 and 1999, and even walked on the observation deck 110 stories up! I am thankful that I was not one of the victims, and I pray that their families will have the strength to go on with their lives. It will be up to future generations to find out the entire truth behind the real story of this tragedy, and bring everlasting closure to this tarnished chapter in our history. May our Master and Savior comfort everyone who was affected by these events during those sad hours….

reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Sep 10, ’08, edited on Sep 10, ’08 sanssouciblogs said So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart. Oh Sue..this is so poignant and touching ! So many names,so many lives, so many people who are missed. May we hold their memory close and never forget. Thank you for this work that reminds us all that 9/11 is about the people who died needlessly at the hand of pure evil. You sure know how pick’em my friend!

reply dianahopeless wrote on Sep 10, ’08 So many many names…it’s like I can still hear the anguished cries, and those of their loved ones still……

reply bostonsdandd wrote on Sep 10, ’08 You know there was a picture on the news of a man walking out of the building, or near by, as it came down. He was covered in soot and blood with this expression on his face. No one ever called his name, but that image stays with me seven years later as many others do. I’m so sorry for the lose to your beloved city! Words can’t express the way you feel, or the way you must still feel today. My heart is yours today as it is every day! Thanks for sharing a piece of yours with us.

reply jadedruid wrote on Sep 10, ’08 How many times I have thought of the people who died there. And for their loved ones. The shock and fear and loss. May we never forget for history repeats itself.

reply zafreud wrote on Sep 11, ’08 ” Names printed on the ceiling of the night. Names slipping around a watery bend. ………………………………………………………. Names written in the air And stitched into the cloth of the day. …………………………………………………….. Names written in the pale sky. Names rising in the updraft amid buildings. Names silent in stone Or cried out behind a door. ……………………………………………………….. Names in the small tracks of birds. Names lifted from a hat Or balanced on the tip of the tongue. Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory. So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart. ” Pain, memory, sorrow, broken hearts, loss…loss…loss…all these names and so many others of people lost every day by a dove that’s howling like a dog…names written on the torn body of peace!……. *tears*

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 sweetpotatoqueen said Oh Sue..this is so poignant and touching ! So many names,so many lives, so many people who are missed. May we hold their memory close and never forget. Thank you for this work that reminds us all that 9/11 is about the people who died needlessly at the hand of pure evil. You sure know how pick’em my friend! Thank you so much for coming by, Sweetie, I really appreciate it.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 dianahopeless said So many many names…it’s like I can still hear the anguished cries, and those of their loved ones still…… Thanks for coming by, the day was so tough, your visit helped me.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 bostonsdandd said You know there was a picture on the news of a man walking out of the building, or near by, as it came down. He was covered in soot and blood with this expression on his face. No one ever called his name, but that image stays with me seven years later as many others do. I’m so sorry for the lose to your beloved city! Words can’t express the way you feel, or the way you must still feel today. My heart is yours today as it is every day! Thanks for sharing a piece of yours with us. Lori, you know how much I appreciate your visits~your comment helped me get through the day. Thank you.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 jadedruid said How many times I have thought of the people who died there. And for their loved ones. The shock and fear and loss. May we never forget for history repeats itself. Thanks for coming by to read, Sharon.I am happy to share with you.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 zafreud said ” Names printed on the ceiling of the night. Names slipping around a watery bend. ………………………………………………………. Names written in the air And stitched into the cloth of the day. …………………………………………………….. Names written in the pale sky. Names rising in the updraft amid buildings. Names silent in stone Or cried out behind a door. ……………………………………………………….. Names in the small tracks of birds. Names lifted from a hat Or balanced on the tip of the tongue. Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory. So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart. ” Pain, memory, sorrow, broken hearts, loss…loss…loss…all these names and so many others of people lost every day by a dove that’s howling like a dog…names written on the torn body of peace!……. *tears* Zafiria, here in the states–at least in NYC, every tv station shows the reading of the names. It is endless. It takes hours. People come up in pairs and read about 10 in alphabetical order, at the site. There are speakers and live classical musicians playing dirges. It never gets easier. i got on the treadmill and cried. Thank you for reading through the series, it was so good to have you to share with.

reply tulipsinspring wrote on Sep 11, ’08 sanssouciblogs said Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory. So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart. So poignant!

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 11, ’08 tulipsinspring said So poignant! Isn’t it a masterpiece?

reply lonewolfwithin wrote on Sep 11, ’08 there are no words to describe my feelings while reading this… truly awesome work! ^. .^

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 8, ’09 2009 Comments

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 11, ’09 Excellent post. Thanks.

reply pestep55 wrote on Sep 11, ’09 Beautiful words fit a tragic time.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 9, ’10 2010 comments

reply skeezicks1957 wrote on Sep 11, ’10 Sans, I know you were on my contact list last year and I think the year before that, but I missed this series both times. I am so glad to have had the experience this year. Thank you for posting this years links to it. You created a fine series that is an excellent memorial.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Sep 12, ’10 Mary Ellen, I am so glad you made it, thanks for taking the time.