What were terrorists doing stomping along those elegant corridors? Did they even know that along with all the people they had cowering in the rooms, they were also holding our memories hostage? Is there no place where we can be safe?
I stood frozen in front of the flickering images on my TV. Terrorists had claimed my world. Again.
_____
A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
The photograph shows the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel under attack. The photograph was NOT taken by me, though it was one of the flickering images I watched almost obsessively on my TV.
31 comments:
Terrifying event well told in a few succinct words. And what a dramatic photo!
It's always so much more than just a building, isn't it? I don't know what I'd do if it happened near me, to a place I frequented. It's gut-wrenching enough to see images on TV.
@ Fiona - the image says it all, doesn't it?
@ Vicki - it *is* always more than just a building. It is always memories- if not your own, of others who have them, and who's memories you make your own.
Rayna - What an eloquent way to remember those horrible attacks. I truly hope and pray that the day comes when we no longer need to fear terrorism...
And what I love about your Drabble is the perspective you use: someone who's loved that place and has memories stolen. Truly inspired.
Beautifully written Rayna. Yes, it is the same no matter where and I feel it has the same purpose, none.
They cannot take our memories only the concrete and steel. Be strong my friend.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
@ Margot- thank you, Margot. WTC or Taj Hotel- it is not the concrete and steel that is attacked, it is the psyche of people.
@ Jules- no purpose, none at all. But who's to tell them that?
The photo is shocking; You words paint the scene well. There is enough sadness and numbness in the world. It sickens me~ I,too watch obsessively when on TV, these acts and Hurricanes. xXx
It's so sad that these acts of violence against humanity keep occurring. What does it accomplish? Well, you came up with a beautiful story.
CD
Powerful drabble - and image.
Wonderful story - and you're right, terrorism is hurtful no matter where it happens or to whom.
I remember watching events play out on TV. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in. My heart went out to those innocent people who lost their lives.
Stephen Tremp
This was fabulous, Natasha. I like that you used an image and event that were so much nearer to YOU--it shows through. Beautiful drabble, and that picture is surreal--all those birds! Looks Apocolyptic to me.
I was as moved by the photo you chose as the evocative words you wrote. It's really a shocking parallel of the sublime and the ridiculous, isn't it?
B
gosh, I love this post--and that is an amazing picture. I remember that situation at the TM hotel and being stopped by feelings of empathy and sadness--something new.
Terrorists have succeeded in drawing us all closer together in a shared intolerance for crimes against the innocent and our way of life. So ha! They lose~ <3
It is a shocking photo and your drabble really brings home the world's outrage to these sort of attacks. Your drabbles are pretty amazing! And have won you an award, at my blog. :)
I remember watching that, feeling helpless and thinking no place is safe from fanatics.
Some days none of us feels safe!
This is beautiful. We are united in our losses. If only the world could unite and celebrate our uniqueness, instead of using terror to accentuate it. Way to go, Rayna.
Very well put. Terrorist attack all people not just some. They steal our memories and our hearts. I too look forward to a day when we don't have to be afraid of what will be next but can look forward to the future.
It's always such a shock to see another horrible attack, no matter where it takes place. It may look like an attack on a building, but it's really an attack on people and their way of life. Terrorism is ugly.
Patricia
Very powerful drabble! Terrorism strikes fear in our hearts and tarnishes our memories! I agree with Patricia...it is ugly!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I agree with the others - very powerful Rayna. Such horrible memories with these attacks. It makes me so sad.
Very sad that terrorism happens all around the world. Very, very sad.
the memories are just horrible and the words you put forth really helped to portray that.
its amazing to read how people were affected by 9/11 who wasnt there or had families involved. so sad. I hope there wasnt any truth in your story. sounds scary.
Wow, that picture is powerful!
And yes, I believe that the terrorists do know they are holding our memories hostage. I think that informs their choices in regard to targets.
So sad.
"/
A compelling text, with a dramatic photo; and yet, the photo has a touch of the everyday with the birds flying midst the black smoke!
It also show how global terrorism is. Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's SC-Remembering 9/11
@ Ellie- the image does say it all, doesn't it? I normally don't watch TV at all, but when something like this happens, I can't pull away.
@ Clarissa- they get people looking over their shoulder and suspecting everyone- mission accomplished.
@ Karen- it is people, isn't it? Thank you.
@ Alex- thank you. The image is not mine, though.
@ Helen- thank you. Terrorism is horrible, no matter what or where.
@ Stephen- it is terrible, isn't it?
@ Hart- the photograph is surreal, isn't it? And to me, terrorism is terrorism, no matter where. And what it does is strike fear.
@ Barbara- it is, isn't it?
@ Leigh- yes, terrorism does draw people together. I am sure that is not what they intend at all, though.
@ Jayne- thank you. I will stop by.
@ Carolyn- that is exactly what they want us to think, and they succeed in doing that.
@ Diane- that is the worst part of it, isn't it?
@ Tina- there is so much to celebrate, isn't there? I don't know about WTC, but in the Bombay attacks, a disproportionately high percentage of victims were Muslims. So much for a religious war.
@ Pamela - it would be great if that day comes in our lifetime, wouldn't it?
@ Patricia- it is always an attack on people, isn't it?
@ SueAnn - very ugly. And utterly pointless.
@ Jemi- thank you. And yes, memories are hard to lose, not that you ever really lose them.
@ Viki- very very sad, yes.
@ Terra- they are horrible. And thank you.
@ Tina- the story was true. A very different attack, but the basic facts were the same.
@ Sue- quite. Why else the WTC and the Pentagon in the US, and the Taj Mahal hotel and Victoria Terminus station in India?
@ Anna- thank you. And the photograph does sum it all up, doesn't it?
This breaks my heart, both your words and the image. You're right, terrorism is the same no matter where it takes place.
I really appreciate your unique view on this prompt.
It illustrates to me how much people are the same...all over the world.
And makes me realize how lucky we are to have such a sense of community in the emotions we feel against ugliness in the world.
Thank you for linking.
@ Laura - it is exactly the same everywhere, unfortunately.
@ Jenny - we are all united in how we react to terrorism. Wish the terrorists realise that their acts of violence actually end up uniting people- maybe then they would stop.
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