Anniversary

"Honey, what's happening?"
Her voice strained
as the Phone line filled
with terror.

She could hear the screams
Explosions when the TV
Screen cleared and the
Tower images burned in.

Her memory permanently scarred
With the Towers' smoking shapes
She yells for silence
Over the children's play.

"Sheila,  I love you!
Hug the kids..."
His sad words cut off
By a second explosion.

She froze with the phone
Stuck in her hand
The towers burn and fall
A distance report

Networks repeated it
Again and again
Her nightmare playing
If only she could wake.

Who was responsible?
She didn't care holding
That phone, then her child
After child, stroking their

Hair, whispering their name.
She cried on their sleeves
Mommy's just tired.
She offered.

~Dave~