JANET HAMILL

REQUIEM

New York City
September 11, 2001

The precious skyline of glass and steel remains
Of all that's lost
And flowing into the sea
At the end of the island where the rivers meet

The candles burn for so many
Doves crowd the branches
Of the blue garden tonight

In every park on every corner a fine curtain of dust
Falls on the altars
Of the open city
Photographs and the sweet heavy fragrance of flowers

The candles burn for so many
Doves crowd the branches
Of the blue garden tonight

So many wings rising from thousands of lives ended
In the collapse of the towers
A common prayer
Scribbled on scraps of paper blows through the streets

The candles burn for so many
Doves crowd the branches
Of the blue garden tonight

Beneath the bridges the rivers flow as sorrow into the sea
Of all that's passing
Innocence and ashes
The precious skyline of glass and steel remains

The candles burn for so many
Doves crowd the branches
Of the blue garden tonight

Janet Hamill has authored four books of poetry and fiction -- Troublante, The Temple, The Nostalgia of the Infinite, and Lost Ceilings -- and has been anthologized in Up Late: American Poetry Since 1970 and Deep Down: The New Sensual writing by Women.  She has a forthcoming book: The Eternal Café (a collection of short fiction, co-authored with Patti Smith, forthcoming from W.W. Norton). Her band, Moving Star, includes Bob Torsello (bass),  Jay LoRubbio (guitar),  Sean Healy (percussion) and Evan Teatum (keyboards), and has been called “one of New York’s best garage bands.” Their debut CD, Flying Nowhere, was produced by Lenny Kaye and features Patti Smith.  They have performed at the Poetry Project at St. Mark’s Church in NYC, The Knitting Factory, CB’s Gallery, and were featured at the 2001 People’s Poetry Gathering with the Patti Smith Band. Get the latest on Janet & Moving Star at www.janethamill.com.