September 11, 2001: American Writers Respond

After September 11, poet William Heyen asked his fellow writers for contributions to an anthology that would articulate how the events of that morning ""had awakened us and shaken our senses of identity and security."" The result, September 11, 2001: American Writers Respond, is part reflection, part analysis, part tribute; its selections range from immediate reactions David Zane Mairowitz's letter in which he admits he thought ""thank goodness... it's not the Chrysler building"" to considered responses Lucille Clifton's poem that acknowledges ""God has blessed America/ to learn that no one is exempt."" Other contributors include Joy Harjo, Joanna Scott, John Updike and Denis Johnson.