September 2001 Poem by Gert Strydom

There are times
that always stays with you
and I remember a day
that I stood
with a cool drink
and a bible in my hand
when I saw in a religious book shop
on CNN
how two aircraft
short after each other
go right through the Twin Towers
and flames and smoke
burst out of both buildings.

Unbelief, perplexion, shock
and the knowledge that it’s murder
and a chaotic terrorist deed
hit me like thunder strokes
and I am sorry for the innocent people
that has no opportunity to escape
and I wonder where have humanity gone
and stand glued at the television set
and know that a unstoppable war
is going to arise out of these events
and that more innocent people are going to die.