It is September 11
we are waiting on word from the White House
America waits as boots are polished
soldiers stand in salutation suited
so when the word is spoken,
there is no need to call for attention.

The students study in bliss
of yet being impacted by the shadows-
the cloth that covered the ground was thick
the death toll rose so quick
displaced children and debris
-it's not in their backyard so how much can they truly see?

The days are filling with images
videos being repeatedly rewound and replayed
the spirits breaking the last breathes leaving
so many souls were released
and so many are ignoring the news
afraid their brother, dad, or aunt may be on that first platoon.

A dozen years before
we were in a frenzy that felt something like this
but it was in our backyard.
We keep walking today, phones buzz with average chirps
but we are still waiting.
Silently, it seems we wait for the word to lead our weary flock.