[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Writer Waide Riddle shares his journey into the 9/11 Memorial Museum Artists’ Registry and the story behind two works inspired by September 11, 2001.
Like all Americans on September 11th, 2001, I was devastated by that morning’s events.
Watching live, people jumping from the Twin Towers to their deaths, then moments later, the Twin Towers imploding into the arms of armageddon.
The rubble.
The screams.
The endless aftermath.
Days after September 11th, I sat down in my kitchen nook, in Los Angeles, with a piece of paper and a pen, and I wrote “A Prayer For September 11th” in one sitting.
A prayer. A poem. In any way possible to share my tumultuous emotions with the world.
Once finished with the poem, I tucked it into my file till later…
In November of 2001, I sat down again, in the kitchen nook, and by pen and paper, wrote the short story, “Lovers’ Morning Hold,” about two boyfriends who witness the planes crashing into the World Trade Center and its collapse. They confront their mortality, survivors guilt and their relationship. The story was emotional to write.
Once finished and mastered, I tucked the manuscript into a file for later.
In 2005, I submitted the story to the collection, “Best Gay Love Stories 2005/ Edited by Nick Street,” by Alyson Books.
Within weeks, I received an acceptance letter from Mr. Street stating he was including “Lovers’ Morning Hold” in his book. It was my first bona fide literary sale.
The book was published on time and I was very proud.
On September 12th, 2011, the 9/11 Memorial Museum and Store opened.
In 2015, I decided to produce the audiobook of “Lovers’ Morning Hold.” Voice artist Faris Monshi narrated it, and the paperback went up online; cover art and graphic design by Jorge Velasquez.
It was now time to revisit “A Prayer For September 11th.”
I took it out of its file and ever-so-slightly re-edited it. I chose to produce a single audio-poem, narrated by voice artist Jim D. Johnston; cover art and graphic design by Jorge Velasquez. It, too, went online.
I was very proud of these two literary pieces that I had written, and I felt they were important. I contacted, via email, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which ushered me to the Artists’ Registry. The Artists Registry was still in its infancy and working hard to accommodate the Artists that were submitting poems, songs, paintings, sketches, sculptures, and mixed media. New York City Artists were given priority.
I received an email that let me know that the 9/11 Memorial Museum was understaffed, but to keep trying.
I would.
And, every few weeks I wrote an email to them. And, every few weeks, I received an email back that politely said to keep trying.
And, I did.
In July of 2025, I called the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s main offices. I was told that my book and poem had been received and were in queue to be ‘discussed.’
I was thrilled.
By early February of 2026, I had not heard from the Memorial. I decided to call again…
This time, everything fell into place…
Antonio Cordero answered the phone and knew my name when I introduced myself. He assured me that curator Kelly Mehalco was in possession of my book and poem and I would be contacted soon.
On the morning of February 17th, I received a call from senior curator Amy Weinstein. She was happy to inform me that both my book and poem had been approved for the Artists’ Registry and Archives. Curator Dillon Williams was actively working on it, and after a pleasant discussion about the history of my work, she was even more thrilled to curate “Lovers’ Morning Hold” and “A Prayer For September 11th” into the 9/11 Memorial Museum and Artists’ Registry.
It was suddenly a reality!
As a writer, I couldn’t be more honored!
“A Prayer For September 11th” can be found at this Artists’ Registry link:
https://www.911memorial.org/profile/2225796
Learn more about author Waide Riddle>>