Snapdragons

In many cases I wish it were easier to forgive and harder to forget.  But that is an individual matter, I think.  I wish peace for all who have suffered because of what occurred that day, American, Middle Eastern, or otherwise.  To the families of those who lost loved ones twelve years ago, and to the men and women who serve our country as well as their families, my heart goes out to you.  Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and your legacy.  You have this young woman's utmost love and respect.  Your service to this country inspires me to contribute my own.

I sit across from the snapdragons

Under a rain-white sky

Hear sirens and fire trucks somewhere north, behind me

That sound is powerful on this day

I fixate on the ground and for a moment

Take myself and this patch of concrete

Place us in New York City

At 9:03 on a Tuesday morning

Quintuple the sirens, trade the misty clouds

For an all-encompassing whitewash of dust

And the thought occurs that death is only a part of life

That in all moments, in any moment

Life is the rosy peach and gold that sprouts

From the dark soil that frightens us so

The deeper the stain of mortal passing

The brighter the life that obstinately grows on

We are made strong by the strength of others

That is universal, on all shores, in all tongues

I am moved to pursue my grandest of goals

To the end of building up others

The rain-white sky comes sprinkling through

Chilled and clean on the backs of my hands

From the darkness of loss and difficulty

My colors can and will bloom

For the good of what yet lives on

In the name of those who have bravely gone