I’m so glad to have a video of this performance to share!

Here’s the backstory: years ago, after seeing this photograph of graffiti on a wall near the ruins of the World Trade Center taken in the days after September 11, 2001, I wrote the following poem, which will appear in my new book, Other Possible Lives.

Annus Mirabilis

“See, I have written you 

on the palms of my hands”

—Isaiah 49:16

You are alive.

The words cling to the side of the wall,

a statement of desperate belief,

that she might come walking—

and who knew—

out of the rubble,

a year of miracle and wonders.

I will never forget you.

See, I have written you

on the walls of the city.

When I arrived at the University of Central Florida (UCF) this fall, I met the composer Alex Burtzos, who asked if I’d like to collaborate on a piece he’d be writing for the UCF Chamber Choir to perform during the annual UCF Celebrates the Arts event.

He picked this poem, composed a gorgeous, haunting, and innovative piece around it, and then passed it on to David Brunner, whose chamber choir performed this last month at the beautiful Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts. 

Photography inspiring poetry inspiring composition inspiring performance! You can see the performance here: