Morning After September 11, 2001
One morning like any other
busy...crowded NYC bustle hustle...
suddenly NOT like any other
suddenly confusion
disbelief
shock
horror
as comprehension dawns
crashing planes
flames and black choking smoke
god so much smoke so thick and heavy
a shroud... death's garb
oh my god my god the screams so loud
running chaos stumbling
live coverage
panic
silence
deafening silence
playing over and over and over
tumbling towers
crumbling .... evaporating
as if nothing were inside but dust
glittering bits of glass and steel
nothing visibly human there to see
to grieve
to mourn
to weep over
until our eyes are swollen and dry
aching numbness possesses us
gripping our souls with icy cold
terror
disbelief
our gazes locked on flickering screens
blaring radios
playing over and over and over
souls running to help
to search to discover death
look unspeakable horror in the face
and yet persevere that others might be saved
that hope might be unearthed
chalky faces, vacant eyes
bodies caked with dust and blood
walking
to where unsure
away from There
away from Death
to what
who is left
who is gone
how can life go on... and we who watch
helpless...
lining up to give blood
to send money
quietly praying
hoping
waiting
waking the next morning to more details
more clues
more numbers, faces, debris, devastation
more information...
those of us who are not There...
some just miles away
neighbors really
though ALL are neighbors, surely
we wake and see
the same front yard
the same kitchen table and toast and coffee
dressing for work
going about another day as usual
when nothing is the same
our hearts
our minds
our souls
are There
changed forever...
we are There with our brothers and sisters
fathers mothers children
orphaned and widowed
sick and despairing
angry and outraged
we are One
united
questioning... forever
what if...
why...
god why...
playing over and over and over...
~ by Erica 9-12-2001