Let Healing Light shine after 9/11

(Catholic Online)- "Awaken new ideas for peace in all lands, as I reach across the ocean to sundrenched sands. Bringing all creeds together with boundless latitude," are words from the book Healing Light: Thirty Messages of Love, Hope, and Courage, written by poet Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave after the 9/11 tragedy.

She describes the inspirational experience that occurred when she attended 9/11 second anniversary memorial service in 2003 that lead her to write the poems that make up the book: "As I watched the ceremonies begin at Ground Zero, I felt increasing sadness as the children came forward one by one to call out their lost parents' names. The grief and longing etched on their small faces left an imprint on my heart that gave birth two days later to prayers for them in the form of poems." She said the experience was like "a cascade of words pouring out of her onto the page" that lead to the subsequent publication of the poems in book form. In the forward of Healing Light, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former secretary general of the United Nations from 1992-1996, wrote: "To all those who are seeking inspiration in these troubled times of fear, despair, mistrust, and incomprehension, I recommend they read this remarkable collection of poems which represent an oasis of compassion and inner calm." The book was dedicated to those who have suffered the adversity of life, and that concept prompted The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to give her book as a gift of remembrance to every survivor family of 9/11 in New York City and Washington, DC. To create an inspirational book to reach an international audience, the poet chose details from Indian Mughal paintings to use with her poems. The art work came from various museums, art institutions and collections, and most of the artworks have never been published before. The poem "Infinite Possibilities" follows: Stretch my eyes beyond the horizon's blue line To infinite possibilities only my soul can define. Pour Thy love like water, clear and pure, Into a heart now eager to achieve and endure. Release my spirit like foam on a wave To rise and swirl, seeking a path to pave. Awaken new ideas for peace in all lands As I reach across the ocean to sundrenched sands. Carry my wish for union with the surging tide To the most distant corners where falcons ride. Hearten my efforts to build bridges of gratitude, Bringing all creeds together with boundless latitude.

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Reprinting of this excerpt from Healing Light: Thirty Messages of Love, Hope, and Courage was made available to Catholic Online by permission of Glitterati Incorporated. Copies of the book may be ordered at Glitterati INCORPORATED (www.GlitteratiIncorporated.com)