two away
September 11, 2003 at 11:50 p.m.
Today was my student Jeffrey's birthday. We celebrated the end of the class by playing happy birthday on violins and had a regular class day just like we did on Tuesday when it was Jessica's birthday.
I did it because I was so scared for Jeffrey - when he announced his birthday was coming up, I must admit, I reacted with a little horror inside when he told me the day was September 11th. But his face was so excited and angelic that I resolved to make today as special as any other birthday.
I just wonder what is must be like to have your special day for the rest of your life have such a dark cloud on it.
It hurt too much to say that we'd been attacked - bombed - it was so much easier just to say the date than what actually happened. Even before it became the accepted way to refer to the events. Even in my entry on that day, I couldn't come up with a title so I just put in the date. We all deal somehow.
I just wonder what it's like for Jeffrey and his birthday from now on.
I want to share the poem I wrote for 9/11 for my English class that year, just because it makes me understand how I was feeling then.
September 10.
The world is ending.
What is the use of going on?
With this hair
this face
this body
this towed car
this homework??
I cannot be expected to survive under these conditions.
September 11.
No.
Oh stop no.
Where did my world go?
Where did my life go?
My kingdom for a bad hair day
for a dead car
to erase the image still burning.
Today I sat on my blue couch while thousands screamed
and were silenced
as they fell from the sky
something landed on me.
.
.
.
Go hug someone. Say I love you. *hugs from me*