I wrote this poem many years ago. Our world was forever changed that beautiful September morning, without a cloud in the sky, suddenly darkened by smoke and ash.

I stayed awake for a week, glued to every detail, every news report, scanning images online thinking “if only I could spot a victim and help from home.” I was obsessed in a way I have never been in my life. I had finally collapsed from exhaustion and then started all over again. I had been ashamed that I had been asleep while the world was collapsing. I felt I needed to stay up until…I don’t know what. I wasn’t thinking but then none of us were during that time.

We lost friends that day and in tribute, my mother went down to volunteer to help the responders and those working on the Pile. Her hardhat remains in our home as a reminder of her time there and how many didn’t make it home.

When I wrote this, I did so through tears. And every year, I post it as my own tribute. 

May we #NeverForget what happened in NYC, DC and PA. And may we come together again as we did after that day. It should take a tragedy to bring us all together as one. 🕊️

–

–

#fyp #September11 #foryou #bekind