(NOTE: Since I can recall, I’ve written a poem or a narrative in remembrance and in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11. This is my dedicated poem for 2017.)
I cannot say that for me
my innocence fled,
as back then in ’01
I was too young
to comprehend the
full weight of the tragedy
that happened that day
and that my sheltered brain
hadn’t yet learned how to name:
terrorist attack.
I cannot say that for me
my childhood changed
as that day in third grade
my teachers decided to
keep silent about the events
less than 50 miles away
in the hopes of preserving
our minds
that they had so badly fought
to keep safe:
damage control.
I cannot say that for me
my entire life was
defined by 9/11
as that would be hyperbolic;
considering I cannot recall
what I did the following day
besides get up
and walk—? No,
get driven to school:
new normal.
But I can say that for me
my memories were scathed
as I still see my parents faces—
my father’s red and infuriated,
my mother’s somber and pale—
stared at me
with hesitation,
confusion on their lips
squeezing each other’s hands
yet quivering standing still
at the head of the table
where we took our meals
and said our prayers
as they turned on the TV
to surrealistic scenes of chaos
that looked vaguely like NYC:
just smaller.
I can say that for me
my loved ones were affected
as I can still hear the telephone
ringing with weeping relatives
reaching out with concern,
and later…
I can see his face
always a solid sempai
in black and white, shaken
with lacerations on his face
and a steely-eyed look
to mask the sorrow
and later…
I can recall her voice
catching in her throat
as she relayed that he
who should have been
in the towers that day
was instead delayed by
traffic, or fate,
safely bunkered in by
fellow shocked drivers:
sudden survivors.
What I can say is that for me
my mentality of the world
hardened
yet my morality
increased
as my humanity
was brought into question
and my security shattered
so that despite the shivers
I still get from images
of that devastating day
it did not destroy me
but taught me to value life
and spread kindness:
behavior and awareness.
What I can say is that for me
my remembrance of that day
won’t ever fade
as through me and many others
those who lost their lives that day
might still live on:
forever united.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
I am not a poet 