9/11

Where were you?

Grade Two -

Sitting with my back to the classroom door

In the group of desks closest to it, too.

I could hear our teacher speaking with the principal

In the hallway;

I wouldn't say I understood but

Bits and pieces,

But a word or two wound too tightly

Around my brain that morning.

"Attack" was one.

"Planecrash," another.

"Twin Towers" were two.

"Calling parents" and "We're safe" weren't said together,

But I clung to those phrases

As if they had been.

11:33 a.m. Central Time -

It was a cloudless and sunny day

At Jackson Elementary School.

AttackAttackAttackAttackAttack...

I knew but still wondered why

Our teacher decided to draw the blinds.

CODE RED.

I think I've seen Red ever since

September 11th.

I won't forget my parents pointing out

New York City

On the roadmap from the red Volvo's glovebox.

I'll always remember realizing that 2001

Was the first year of the New Millennium -

Forever.

I Pledge Allegiance,

To the Stars and Stripes,

To the People Who Stitch Them Together,

In This Nation Under God,

I Will Stand For the Broken,

I Will Kneel For the Wounded,

I Will Fight For the Sick,

And I Will Heal All That I Can,

In the Great Name of Justice:

Liberty.

Where are you Now?

Dubuque -

Standing with my back to the bay window,

Seeing Yellow.