Remembrance

The kids had just gone back to school
and a perfect blue sky
refreshed my morning, until a phone call.

My mother said, "Please turn on the tv!"
after the usual greetings.
Was this a joke?

I saw the images
repeated again and again
of planes crashing.

Only one thought was clear to me;
go get the kids! Get them now!

Son 20 minutes away,
daughter just over the hill.
Husband in harms way, working
for the government in suburban Maryland...
I felt like a slinking cat,
suddenly aware of dangers
everywhere.

I got in my van and drove
without calling first.

I picked up my son,
I picked up my daughter,
and we waited at home.
Ten and five... no explanation
made sense to them.
It was a beautiful day,
and we were inside waiting.

Nothing made sense
but to wait until we were all gathered.
The silence was dreadful.