"penn" poems - Hello Poetry

I’d worked late the previous night, programing applications. When the alarm went off at four A.M. I hit snooze- no hesitation. Eventually my feet found floor, I stumbled to the shower. A routine usually done in ten took me a half an hour. I was running up the platform steps but my train just left the station. Great, I will be late for sure, I thought, in consternation. At least the day was perfect, Warm and clear, no threat of rain. I fished and found my ticket and took the next westbound train. The ”E” was fairly crowded When I boarded it at Penn I’d missed the first and I was glad Another quickly came. Beneath the streets of Gotham The subway lurched downtown. Above all hell was breaking loose as two large planes were down. I climbed the stairs up to the street And entered the inferno The sky now black from billowing smoke Bright day turning nocturnal. A Seven thirty Seven’s wheel- I heard a woman screaming I saw a body at my feet Were we at war or was I dreaming? I stared up at my window- where I worked the night before. Where flames and smoke leapt to the sky- where my co workers were no more. They’re jumping, someone shouted I saw black specks launch from on high. Better to die upon the street Than to suffocate or fry. I turn and ran, I am ashamed. No Hero’s tale to tell. I was a safe way away when the first tower fell. Had I not hit the button or dawdled in the shower. Had I caught my usual train I’d be dead in the tower. This is my shame and burden To live when others died. Preserved by fate and circumstance From terror from the sky.

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Jan 27, 2012

Jan 27, 2012 at 11:04 PM UTC

john-f-mccullagh

Survivor Guilt a poem of 9-11

I’d worked late the previous night, programing applications. When the alarm went off at four A.M. I hit snooze- no hesitation. Eventually my feet found floor, I stumbled to the shower. A routine usually done in ten took me a half an hour. I was running up the platform steps but my train just left the station. Great, I will be late for sure, I thought, in consternation. At least the day was perfect, Warm and clear, no threat of rain. I fished and found my ticket and took the next westbound train. The ”E” was fairly crowded When I boarded it at Penn I’d missed the first and I was glad Another quickly came. Beneath the streets of Gotham The subway lurched downtown. Above all hell was breaking loose as two large planes were down. I climbed the stairs up to the street And entered the inferno The sky now black from billowing smoke Bright day turning nocturnal. A Seven thirty Seven’s wheel- I heard a woman screaming I saw a body at my feet Were we at war or was I dreaming? I stared up at my window- where I worked the night before. Where flames and smoke leapt to the sky- where my co workers were no more. They’re jumping, someone shouted I saw black specks launch from on high. Better to die upon the street Than to suffocate or fry. I turn and ran, I am ashamed. No Hero’s tale to tell. I was a safe way away when the first tower fell. Had I not hit the button or dawdled in the shower. Had I caught my usual train I’d be dead in the tower. This is my shame and burden To live when others died. Preserved by fate and circumstance From terror from the sky.