9-11

I remember.

Awestruck. Mortified.
This was really happening.
Glued to the television.

I remember.

The eerie silence
as normal routines became confronted with confusing, visceral heart pain.
The odd kinship of strangers,
the acknowledgment of the new awareness
of just how vulnerable we were.

I remember.

The day I first experienced the shadow side
of collective consciousness.
Appalled that man could do this to man.
Fearful.

I remember.

When all things trivial slipped away into the smoke of that day.
When man slowly arose from the assault
holding hands,
wanting to be better men.

I remember.