Atlantic City...
October, 2001
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To the left i stand before a tribute to
the September 11th attack, on the Boardwalk of Atlantic City. I
couldn't find the artist's name (s) though there was a place visitors could
sign in and leave messages at my feet. The boardwalk was covered with
cardboard in the space before it. People wrote to loved ones, to lost
ones and left scads of poetic verbiage.
I'd never been to Atlantic city.
Our flight was repurchased once then rescheduled 3 times due to the airline
crisis. We ended up flying into LaGuardia, directly over Manhattan.
We could see the smoke rising...a white billowy column coming from the heart
of NYC. We were silent.
Once in the rental Karla said..."lets go
in there." I said "No, I'd rather start on our journey (to Atlantic
City)." No sooner had i said that when i realized, this IS the
journey. LIFE is the journey, and we crossed the bridge to Manhattan.
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We weren't able to get very close to things.
There were boys in blue on every corner; squad cars parked with lights flashing,
barricades, pylons... We tried to find the camera, but it figures, i left
it at home. It wasn't meant for me to shoot, but to remember in my head.
The feeling was far different than when i had visited in
May. That was just a party filled with booze and banter. NYC was
solemn now, heavier than before. On the way toward Jersey we hit a stench:
a contaminated air. I found it hard to breath. I tried to hit the
AC, but the air had filled the car. It was horrible. There were
molecules and particles there that were never meant to be in my lungs. It
was rancid. So many disturbing elements that my body was instantly
repelled. Chemicals, plasters, metals, fibers, bodies, sewer, asbestos,
gasses, rotting...it was all there. Every nasty thing i had ever smelled
quickly filling my lungs. How i held my breath for home!
Minnesota...the more i leave you, the more you are place.
I know it's a difficult time for everyone. My
sympathy goes out for all those in suffering. May you find your peace once
again. God Bless you.
