As the fifth anniversary is upon us, I'd like to share with you this song I wrote and rushed to record just before the first anniversary. I watched the towers blaze and, from 'out of the blue,' crumble... from across the Hudson River and my, that day, too-beautiful-of-a-view of the Manhattan skyline.

I am not promoting my performance, but the song/message, and want to share it...widen its listening audience, and perhaps, artists' interest in performing it and/or groups/individuals sharing it/utilizing it...I did my best (with limited musical ability and recording skills) to capture and communicate intimately the love, care, understanding, and unity I have and feel, and wish for, not only for our United States of America, but what we must become…a United World.

As the song emerged, I experienced once again what had happened, the pain, the sorrow. But along with the memory of what did happen, was a vision which enveloped me in love, and which I still have a hope for realizing…

On the first anniversary, as I was just writing and recording the song, I tried to get it some airplay, and before the radio people even heard it, they told me…"a 9/11 Song?!!…No Thanks!" I was rushing around that morning trying to find people with whom to share it, but was shy to share it as well, as I didn’t know the politics and/or anger that listeners might have felt, and still very understandably may hold within and against anyone who would think, let alone, act to hurt the victims; or, for that matter, anyone who would dare to love those people…people who I believe if loved in their lives may have not grown in such hurt, become so desperate, so hateful, and thereby could not and would not even think to commit such horrible acts. When I did get a chance to perform the song or play the recording, the reception was at most, quiet. Confused and upset myself with the response, or lack thereof, I put it away on the shelf, but didn't know, along with it, my self, and true desire, the share it…I later figured, that as our human emotional system processes such trauma and pain, perhaps it was--even then, one year later--still too soon to re-visit and remember the event, as it was still so present for us... Besides, what a mix of so many strong and apparently--and for many--absolutely opposing and antagonistic story lines! But I’ve come to try to accept myself and the truth of the story lines of life and death, love and fear. Perhaps our feeble attempts at keeping them separate is partly what keeps them at odds.

I've since been invited and have shared/performed the song in concert: Music Matters, on Long Island; and at a 911 Vigil in Shrewsbury, NJ and by a Fireman from the Firehouse on South Street, NY, where they lost 14 brothers…I'll be there with them on Monday, 9/11/06.

I’m now, four years later, taking the risk of sharing with you not only the love I have for our victims, but of everyone and every thing on this planet Earth we all call home, despite mood, anger and deep hurt at so many levels. I just hope that you’ll take what I’m offering for the love and care that is primary.

Beyond all hopes and dreams (and requests), I hope you 'enjoy' the song, individually, because that's where I know it must, and I wish it to, begin…within each of us, one at a time!

If you like it, send it to 10 friends, and expect to get NOTHING in return!! ...except what you feel...and, that's what I'm going on, intention, and learning to know that that's just, if not more than, enough to make it worthwhile...

May we all be blessed with love for ourselves and each other.

Love and Peace to you!

Erik

Erik Bernstein