MANHATTAN, 17 September: by Carl Byrne. Everywhere there are posters and signs, people desperately asking for news of loved ones, friends, co-workers.
There are assembly points for volunteers, with buses for labourers, steelworkers, other kinds of people. Some of us went down there, ready to help, we'd bought masks and gloves. We were put on a bus and given instructions and extra safety gear. Then, while we were on our way, the bus was turned back. Another building was ready to go down.
Not having much luck in helping out - the other night they wouldn't take our blood because they had enough. I went to a candlelight vigil. There's something about lighting a candle. Holding it up. Reaching for answers? Lighting the way for the lost?
They were singing 'We Shall Overcome'. They sang 'Give Peace a Chance'. On the face of it, contradictions.
I can't get used to the towers being gone. When I used to drive in from New Jersey, they framed the city. Now it's a picture without a frame.
EARLIER: Disbelief and empty streets in the city that never sleeps
©2001carlbyrne/knn