September Twelfth, 2001
By X. J. Kennedy
Two caught on film who hurtle
from the eighty-second floor,
choosing between a fireball
and to jump holding hands,aren’t us. I wake beside you,
stretch, scratch, taste the air,
the incredible joy of coffee
and the morning light.Alive, we open eyelids
on our pitiful share of time,
we bubbles rising and bursting
in a boiling pot.
Summary of September Twelfth, 2001
- Understanding the Poem’s Context: X. J. Kennedy’s “September Twelfth, 2001” is a poignant response to the tragic events of 9/11. First published in 2004 in his collection The Lost Poems, the poem does not present a grand narrative of the disaster but offers a personal reflection on life, death, and the fragility of existence.
- Central Idea: The Fragility of Life and the Value of Time: The poem uses the image of two people falling from the World Trade Center, suggesting a conscious choice of death, to contrast with the speaker’s ordinary morning. This juxtaposition underscores the arbitrary nature of survival and the preciousness of each moment.
- Key Themes: Love, Loss, and the Everyday: “September Twelfth, 2001” examines love amid death, collective loss, and the quiet resilience of everyday life. The couple’s decision to jump holding hands reflects a desperate search for connection. The speaker’s routine—stretching, scratching, enjoying coffee—reminds us that life continues even in tragedy.
Analysis of Literary Devices in September Twelfth, 2001
X. J. Kennedy skillfully employs a range of literary devices that deepen the poem’s emotional resonance.
- Allusion: The title directly alludes to the September 11 attacks, anchoring the poem in a specific historical moment.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates musicality. For instance, the long o in “Two caught on film who hurtle” and the o in “joy of coffee” highlight the contrast between falling and simple pleasure.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonants, such as the s in “stretch, scratch, taste the air,” adds rhythmic texture.
- Consonance: Repeated consonants in “bubbles rising and bursting” reinforce the poem’s themes of fragility.
- Imagery: Kennedy’s vivid images—of falling, of coffee, of light—engage the senses and evoke warmth and comfort.
- Metaphor: The comparison of life to “bubbles rising and bursting in a boiling pot” conveys its fleeting, fragile nature.
- Symbolism: Coffee and morning light symbolize life and routine; falling symbolizes loss; holding hands symbolizes love and comfort in crisis.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in September Twelfth, 2001
Beyond literary devices, the poem’s impact is amplified by Kennedy’s use of poetic techniques.
- Diction and Tone: The diction is simple and direct, avoiding ornate language. This choice supports a tone of quiet contemplation and understated grief.
- Free Verse: The poem’s free verse form frees it from rhyme or meter, allowing a conversational rhythm that emphasizes emotional content.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is divided into three stanzas of four lines each, giving balance and allowing shifts in perspective.
- Juxtaposition: The stark contrast between the falling couple and the speaker’s calm morning underscores the arbitrary nature of survival and the fragility of life.
Illustrative Lines for Deeper Understanding
These excerpts illuminate the poem’s themes and techniques.
Two caught on film who hurtle
from the eighty-second floor,
choosing between a fireball
and to jump holding hands,
The opening stanza establishes the central image of choice amid horror. The phrase “caught on film” emphasizes the public nature of the tragedy. Holding hands conveys a desperate search for solace.
Alive, we open eyelids
on our pitiful share of time,
we bubbles rising and bursting
in a boiling pot.
The closing stanza offers a meditation on life’s fragility. The “bubbles rising and bursting” metaphor reinforces the fleeting nature of existence, reminding readers to cherish every moment.