The author of the poem, Auden, was used to war time violence, living during World War II. The war was an obvious inspiration for his poem, yet the similarities between the two September nights are unmistakable.
He mentions "waves of anger and fear," a sentiment shared by the world after 9/11. An even more somber line follows: "The unmentionable odour of death offends the September night." He ends the poem with a startling conclusion, writing, "Defenseless under the night Our world in stupor lies; Yet, dotted everywhere, Ironic points of light Flash out wherever the Just Exchange their messages:...Negation and despair, show an affirming flame."
While these verses seem insanely similar to 9/11, they might have been inspired by the attacks on London. German planes would fly over the city, dropping bombs down. The "ironic points of light" could symbolize gun fire between the two sides; the affirming flame could be the fires ignited by the bombs.
Auden is telling his audience that they must join together and love another as a society.
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