9 - Annie

Clear, morning sky 

With those puffy white clouds.

A perfect day for flying.

I grab my mother’s hand 

As we walk to the airport, tugging along my 

Weathered stuffed bunny. 

I had never liked traveling on planes, but

Bun-bun always made it better. 

My parents always came late to the airport,

Letting me sit on their suitcase 

While they waited in line.

“Where are we going?”

I would always ask.

“It’s a surprise,” they would say,

Smiling at me sweetly.

Little did they know, I had listened to 

Their quiet conversations during the night.

“Disneyland,” I whispered to myself,

Hopping up and down as my parents

Attempted to buckle me into my seat. 

Before long we were climbing through the air,

Watching the city lights and glass buildings 

Of Boston disappear behind us.

The darkness of the cabin lulled me to sleep 

As I rested my head on my mother’s lap. 

When I awoke, the morning light from the plane

Window danced across my face,

Enticing me to peek out.

I saw a city.

Tall skyscrapers shaped like pencils,

Yellow taxi cabs with ant-sized people 

Scurrying about, and a green-colored woman 

Raising a flame into the air

Far out on the water. 

But the plane was descending on the city.

And it was close.

Way too close.

1 - Pete

I was standing in disbelief

When we got the call.

We jumped into action, already knowing

We were too late for some. 

And hoping

We weren’t too late for many. 

Red lights flashed, dark black uniforms,

With old leather hats.

The smell of sulfur and smoke. 

And little grey flakes floating through 

The air. 

When we reached the towers, we saw

High above us bright swirls of flame,

Licking metal and glass 

While faces painted with fear 

Watch on.

Chaos.

People 

Screaming,

Running.

There was no time to think.

About my family,

My children,

My future.

There was just action.

So, I raced up 

110 floors of steel.

To save, to help, to rescue.

Only for it to collapse

And shatter us all.

1 - Emma

Rivers of water

Cascade down

Black stone.

Hundreds of

Red, yellow, and white roses 

Stand nestled into 

Metal names that are

Never forgotten. 

Today marks the anniversary.

The day the world 

Came crashing down. 

2,977 died 

And even more mourned. 

I turn towards the glass museum.

Dedicated to those we lost.

I wander the halls,

Wondering, hoping, 

And searching.

I find items,

Melted steel beams,

Broken concrete, and

A scorched black helmet

Scrawled with F.D.N.Y.

But, then

I see 

A small, worn bunny.

Singed and missing

One ear. 

Who had somehow survived

When no one else did.