THE FRAGILITY OF UNITY

I know exactly where I was that day, 
Attending a scheduled monthly meeting, 
Composed of various professionals, 
For child care owners and providers.

The large dark windowless conference room, 
Where fluorescent lights hummed above voices, 
Welcomed attendees with warmth in decor, 
And air cool enough to keep us alert.

Guests arrived early, stood outside the room, 
Choosing to catch up with their kindred friends, 
Whom they shared professional backgrounds with. 
Sharing stories since the last month’s meeting.

Just minutes before the meeting started, 
People found their seats around the table. 
The meeting took on a life of its own, 
Filled with its own purpose and directives.

A quick roll call to see who is present, 
Housekeeping tasks like where to get coffee, 
An agenda, filled with action items, 
Waiting for compromise and partnerships.

A late comer barged into the meeting, 
Without words or an owed apology, 
He quickly went to the front of the room, 
Where he turned on the room’s television.

He fumbled to find a local network, 
Finally, the channel came into view. 
The room’s noise became all too silent, 
When all our eyes fixed to the TV screen.

Twin towers once watched over the city, 
Now stood nothing, but shattered skeletons. 
From the ruins, dark plumes of smoke escaped, 
As if they cried, begging for our help.

We first questioned without hesitation, 
If this was just a tragic incident. 
The media pieced together fragments, 
Of a jigsaw puzzle missing one piece.

As we all began to question the ‘who’. 
A news anchor spoke of the missing piece. 
It appeared enemies in our backyard, 
Set out to cripple our beloved nation.

We tried so hard to grasp what just happened, 
Hoping this is not another world war. 
With the TV playing in the background, 
We turned toward prayer for comfort and answers.

Overnight, our country came together, 
Like reciting the pledge of allegiance. 
We put political parties aside, 
We all became, “One nation, under God.” 

We were no longer republicans and 
We were no longer democrats that day. 
Sharing tears behind our patriotism, 
We all became, simply, Americans.

Not long after the dust and news settled, 
We reverted back to our old ways. 
We lost our direction and character, 
Our partisan views became polarized. 

I know exactly where I was that day, 
When we all came together as one voice, 
Showing to the world, how we stood together, 
With the words, “never to be forgotten.” 

The history is never forgotten, 
Just written down somewhere, hidden from view. 
Only a lesson to be skimmed over, 
For the next generations to review.

Yet, my generation and those before, 
Carry tales of the day and those after. 
But what seems only like yesterdays news, 
Yet twenty-five years passed by already. 

Becoming our responsibility, 
To share stories and to never forget, 
Those who lost their lives that September day, 
And the many who fought for our country.

Reminding citizens and residents, 
That the banner waving red, white and blue, 
Speaks words of our past and present heroes, 
Who fought and defended our great country.