21 Years After the Oklahoma City Bombing, a Poetic Tribute

The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was blasted into infamy 21 years ago this month on April 19, 1995. At the time, it was the most deadly terrorist attack on U.S. soil. A plaque on the site today offers words of healing:

“We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.”

In March this year, two bombers struck the departure lounge of the Brussels Airport. In February, 28 people died in a bombing in Turkey. Two bombers killed 15 people in Iraq in January. More than a dozen died in the San Bernardino Shooting in December. Terrorism happens all the time.

Terrorism has become a part of contemporary politics, and cannot be eradicated, said historian and author Andrew Bacevich during a lecture at Trinity University soon after the Paris attacks in November. “The best we can hope for is to reduce it to tolerable levels.”

Bacevich speculated that there are armed robberies all the time in greater San Antonio – and most major cities for that matter.

“And I’m guessing that doesn’t prevent you from going out and having dinner at night at a restaurant,” he said.

Bacevich said it is conceivable that armed robbery in San Antonio could get to be such an epidemic that one would be fearful of venturing out.

“All we expect of the police officers is to keep armed robbery and other such criminality at a level where we can live our lives,” he said.

“I think that’s the standard that we should assert with regard to terrorism,” Bacevich said. “It’s not going to go away.”

When senseless violence occurs, we must grieve or seek retribution, but eventually we go on with our lives.

Twin portals frame the reflection pool, which once was the street in front of the Murrah Federal Building. Photo by Don Mathis.

This American elm dates back 90 years – to a time this area was a residential neighborhood. It shaded a parking lot on the day of the attack and was showered with fragments of steel, bricks, and glass. But it’s still alive, still thrives; a symbol of the will of the people. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial. — This American elm dates back 90 years to a time this area was a residential neighborhood. It shaded a parking lot on the day of the attack and was showered with fragments of steel, bricks, and glass. But it’s still alive, still thrives; a symbol of the will of the people. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial.

A shallow pool occupies what was once N.W. Fifth Street In Oklahoma City. The sound of gently flowing water provides a peaceful setting for quite reflection. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial.

This map provides a key to the items discussed in the poem. Image courtesy The Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial & Museum.

Across the street from the Memorial, local citizens honored the memory of the children that were lost. Nineteen granite blocks surround a statue, Jesus Wept. Photo by Don Mathis.

Twin portals bracket the moment of destruction. The East Gate, marks the time of the morning on April 19, 1995, and represents the innocence of the city before the attack. The West Gate reads 9:03, the minute after the blast. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Many families have an empty chair at a holiday gathering as a reminder of a loved one who has passed on. There are 168 empty chairs at the Oklahoma Memorial, each bearing the name of someone who died on April 19, 1995. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial.

An empty chair represents each of the 168 victims who died in the Murrah Federal Building bombing. Photo by Don Mathis. — Empty chairs represent each of the 168 victims who died in the Murrah Federal Building bombing. Photo by Don Mathis.

A fence was installed soon after the bombing on April 19, 1995, and visitors began leaving items of remembrance. Photo by Don Mathis.

The following is a poetic tribute from my visit to The Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial & Museum soon after it was dedicated in 2000.

Lest We Forget

You pass through the portal
and squint against the sun,
the time, forever, “9:01.”

A twin portal stands
on the other side of the street
forever reading, “9:03.”

In between is the minute
that never should have been
in 1995, April 19.

A pool, for reflection, inches shallow,
infinitely deep in its sorrow.

Walkways to nowhere, no destination,
lead anyone, quickly,
to quiet contemplation.

The power of the empty chair –
think of those who are not there
at the dinner table, the office,
those we miss…
Imagine, 168 empty chairs such as this.

Glass shards and stone
once showered a tree.
It gives me hope to see those leaves.
It’s still alive, still survives,
a symbol of the will of the people.

A chain link fence is not a barrier,
it’s a carrier,
a link to the memory of many,
to leave a possession,
to release an emotion.

A fireman’s helmet is hung,
faded and bleached in the sun,
emblazoned, “We will never forget you,”
and signed by a team
that performed the rescue.

A single Teddy Bear brings a tear
for the children who were here.

On the fence, flowers are tied.
Dozens have died.
Thousands have cried.

On the next block,
granite blocks of black,
symbolize the children
who will never come back.

A statue stands, “Jesus Wept.”
This is, after all, the Bible Belt.

Chips and stones from the destruction
now line the paths, their journey done.

Someday,
the feet of grief
may stop its step.
But the Murrah Memorial
will still be here…

Lest We Forget.

Top image: A chain-link fence was hastily erected around the bomb site in April 1995 to provide security as rescue workers dug through the rubble. People immediately began to leave flowers, messages, and other expressions of sympathy and concern. The fence will remain as long as people remember. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Lest We Forget

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Don Mathis