21 Years

Today is 9/11.

21 years. 

I was not born. 

But at the time, 

Was forming 

In my mother's womb.

While I was being soothed

By my mother's voice, 

People were scrambling

To find safety. 

While I was nice and warm,

Cold corpses lay in rubble.

While I giggled, 

Others were crying. 

There's a monument 

Honoring those who died. 

Police Officers.

Firefighters. 

First responders.

Office workers.

Ordinary people,

Who with compassion and bravery,

Gave their lives, while saving others.

21 years.

I was not born,

But I hear stories

Of That Day. 

I do not know 

What I'd do 

If I was there, and

Lost someone too. 

I do not know 

What I'd do

If I was in the building

That Day.

21 years.

I was not born,

But those who died

Will live on forever. 

May we never forget

September Eleventh. 

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Your words are nothing less that superbly expressed, Adelina. You have created as fine a tribute to that terrible day, time, sadness and -horror as I, a Brit, have ever read. Kudos, dear lady for expressing reality in such a subtly emotional manner... incredible!

'Today is 9/11.
21 years.
I was not born.
But at the time,
Was forming
In my mother's womb.
While I was being soothed
By my mother's voice,
People were scrambling
To find safety.
While I was nice and warm,
Cold corpses lay in rubble.'

That is what creating poetry means.

[Adelina Keith]

Emma, thank you so much for your kind words!

[John the Baptist]

Two events in my lifetime stand out above all others for pure, gut punching shock. The first was the assassination of JFK, the second, 9/11. I will never forget the tv picture of the terrified man who jumped from the south tower to avoid burning to death. He seemed to fall forever. This poem, written by one who was not around at the time, pays a fitting tribute to those who died that day. Well done.