Author Pauline O'Connor has dedicated her second book of poems to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Ms O'Connor's younger brother, Boyd Gatton, was one of the victims of the World Trade Centre attacks - along with another Bermudian Rhondell Tankard - and Mrs. O'Connor is still dealing with her brother's loss, even though the family has put some closure to the tragedy.

The book, fittingly entitled “No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper” went on sale this week at four locations (True Reflections, Egmont's Gift Shop in St. George's, the Bermuda Bookstore and Bookmart) and on Thursday - her birthday - Ms O'Connor will sign copies at the Hamilton Library from 1-2 p.m. She will also have a book signing on Saturday at the Phoenix from noon to 1 p.m.

Ms O'Connor says the title of the book actually came from another personal experience and that she had already started writing material for the book prior to September 11, 2001. It is a day the world will never forget.

“I had moved to Jamaica and my intentions were to put the entire book together down there,” said Ms O'Connor, who had the book printed in Kingston.

“When September 11 took place I had enough material for one chapter and had stopped writing once that happened and kept a daily journal. I watched it happen (on television), my mom and I.

“That first chapter and the one on Jamaica - “The Land of Wood and Water” - were the two chapters that I had started.

“Once I got my mom settled up here I went back to Jamaica for eight weeks and completed the book and submitted it to be printed. I knew I wanted to do something on the culture down there because the culture just blows my mind!”

The third chapter of the book, entitled ‘911', has 21 poems on the events of that memorable, unforgetful day. Material for that chapter was written in the months that followed, when her family also had to deal with further grief on November 7 of that year when her sister died from cancer. It has been a real test of strength for the Gatton family as Ms O'Connor and her mother leaned on each other.

“Everything that has happened, even on a negative level, has made me stronger, preparing me for the next level,” said the author.

“In regards to that, I don't know what the loss of Boyd and Sharon is preparing me for, but I looked at a day where I thought if that ever happened I wouldn't be able to survive. But it has happened, I'm here past a year later and I'm still here.

“I'm more of me now because I have to carry them along with me, to make sure that their memories are kept alive with her (Sharon's) daughter, my grandchildren and even my own daughters. I've gotten to a point where I don't fear anything and expect the unexpected. I just get up every day, do what I have to do and be grateful for the day.”

Ms O'Connor also wrote some of the material during the three months she was living in her brother's apartment, sorting out his personal things.

“I spent a lot of time there by myself, so to keep my sanity I would just write different things,” she revealed.

“I found a daily log and started writing in that. I don't necessarily have to be in a frame of mind (to write), but it's like any other thing, if something is bothering you might talk about it.

“If it makes you feel good you might share it, and if it feels bad you just have to get it off your chest. But with me I just write and fortunately I'm blessed enough that it just flows.”

Ms O'Connor had praise for the compassion shown by authorities in New York to the survivors of those who perished in the World Trade Centre attacks.

“My hat goes off to them, the way they did everything was so phenomenal,” she stated. “The compassion was out of this world.”

The first book Ms. O'Connor published was called “In Flight” which came out in 1998. Even without much publicity the book sold out.

“I only had my own circle of people who knew about my writings and received it,” she explained.

“I didn't know what the response would be outside of that circle, so my confidence level wasn't where it could have been. When I presented it I presented it within that circle and because people thought it was great it travelled outside my circle.

“I had a whole lot (of material) that I didn't put in that book and some of it I carried over. I just write and don't wait and say ‘in two years' time I'm going to write another book and that's when I'll commence writing again'. I write all through and whenever the issue is there I just write about it.”

Ms O'Connor has no doubts that the tragic death of her brother contributed to the death of her sister who has been living with cancer.

“That killed her, when she got that news about Boyd,” said her sister.

“She had just gone back to school (teaching) the day before about being off a year having chemotherapy, but deteriorated in those seven weeks and died.”

Ms O'Connor gets her own strength from knowing that those carrying out evil acts will not prosper.

“I even wrote to bin Laden in the book because if I had gotten bitter my mama would have had three dead children,” said Ms. O'Connor.

“I'm not going to allow him or anybody else to invade me.”

Boyd called his sister Sharon when the first building was struck and left a message on her machine telling her he was okay. Minutes later his building was hit before he and many others could get out.

Ms O'Connor has the tape but has never listened to the message... and doubts she ever will.

“My daughters are telling me you can detect the fear in his voice,” said Ms. O'Connor who said other family members have heard the tape.

“Even though he is talking calm you can tell there is some type of fear in him and I've never known Boyd to be that way. I know there was a quadraplegic on his floor and I know he would have helped her, he was that type of person.

“That's the way I would like to think about him, with his bravery. I don't want to hear him with fear and panic in his voice.”

Those wishing to purchase a copy of her book can also call Ms. O'Connor at 238-7331.