Twenty-five years ago, in the days following September 11, 2001, Sister Carol Krolikowski put into words the grief, anger, devastation and, ultimately, compassion she witnessed in the wake of that unimaginable day. Written a few weeks after the tragedy, her poem, What Color Is Compassion?, captures both the darkness of that moment and the extraordinary humanity that emerged. As we remember the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11th, Sister Carol’s words remind us that even amid fear and destruction, compassion can rise: people reaching for one another, serving one another, and holding one another tenderly. We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage and compassion that continue to call us toward one another.
WHAT COLOR IS COMPASSION?
I know the color of rageIt’s an insidious wearing awayLike the virgin oaksFelled for a tabletop and profit.
I know the color of rageMountains sliced and trimmedFor further production and profit.
I know the color of rageIn the mistreatmentOf livestock and some animals for researchFor further pseudo-development and profit.
I know the color of rageWhen we view the panoramic worldWith color-blind pin-hold imaginations.
Raging colors streamingNon-compliant – paralyzing fearUtter destruction and desolation: 8:45 Flight 11 9:06 Flight 175 9:40 Flight 77 9:00 plus Flight 95Earth opening her charred armsIn a blaze of haunting screamsShards of glass, ringed edges of love on solitary fingers,Mountains of transcripts toppled, that unfinished card game,Pentagon files and secrets crumpled with an emptyCappuccino cup twisted on a half torso with a faceLipping: “I love you!” all ways and forever, rings outTo family and friends.
I’ve known compassionIt was an ash gray todayIn the emerging servantsIn the hand-held stethoscopedThe rubber-booted, the security-badgedHumanity holding humanityEver so tenderly.
These angels, towered up with braveryAs a world of humanity towered downMeeting on a staircaseNow.Layered one on top of each other.
I saw compassionLike I’ve never seen it beforeIn a blaze of resurrectedRED – WHITE – and BLUE.
Carol Krolikowski, IHMSeptember 26, 2001
[Original in Publications]