My son Jordan is 16. He was only 6 years old on that terrible day 10 years ago. I remember going to work that day, seeing the awful vision of what was happening in New York City, and being evacuated shortly after the second plane made impact. Later, a decision had to be made about picking Jordan up from school early, and I did so, not having any idea how to explain to this little boy what madness caused the unimaginable thing to happen, nor any clue what the next 10 years would bring for our country and our world.
And so 10 years later, he wrote this. And I know it is a day after all the memorials and memories, and that this has absolutely nothing to do with the daily grind of voiceover. But I felt as though I had to share it with everyone. He is a talented young man who has also voiced a project or two for me, and I hope you can see what he sees in this poem.
Hope.
Light and Dark
by Jordan Alexander Washington
There was light
Good light
Daylight
Safe light
And then there was shadow
Sun shadow
Fear shadow
Hate shadow
And light again
Dark light
Hot light
Fire light
Shadow falls
Final shadow
Smoke shadow
Shadow of despair
Light rises for some
Bright light
Free light
Hope light
And some bring the light to the shadow
Brave light
Hero’s light
Light of sacrifice
But shadow falls on many
Deep shadow
Peace shadow
Sleep shadow
Light calls from the shadows
Pure light
True light
God light
And shadow covers all who remain
Mourning shadow
Weeping shadow
War shadow….
Light has yet to live again.
But we will make it rise.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Jamee. Jordan’s writing is my pride and joy. I try to keep encouraging him to do so, and not miss that opportunity to stretch himself.
How completely excellent. Whatever you’re doing with him, education-wise, it’s working! He needs to enter that in a few contests and such. It should also be in his high school yearbook or creative writing anthology.
Thank you Cindy. I could not be prouder of him.
Such maturity and insight for his age. Fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
Derek, it is my pleasure. I think it’s important that he sees the impact his writing can have, and sharing it beyond the people he would ordinary share it with helps!
Wow! Incredibly beautiful!
BTW – My daughter’s name is Jordan too…love the name and every Jordan I have met (not that many, but a few) are always full of talent and creativity 🙂
Thank you Fran! Jordans are particularly gifted 🙂