September 11

Living in New Jersey, it was noon before I turned on the TV and heard that the planes had hit the towers. My first thought was of my ex-girlfriend, who was still a friend. She worked temp jobs and I had no idea whether she was in the Trade Center or not. I called her cell phone, then her home phone, but all lines were jammed. On this ironically bright September day, it didn?t matter that I had thought of cutting off all contact with her. I wanted nothing more than to hear her voice.

I watched TV in despair and shock and tried to call other New York friends but the lines were still jammed. I grieved over all that had died and even over the loss of the towers themselves, which were the symbol to me of the international city, the portal to the entire world, just miles from where I had been raised and still lived.

Then, the ring.

thousands die
the voice of my friend
on her cell phone

7 Responses

  1. Marilyn Hazelton Says:

    Chuck,

    Beautifully written…

    Marilyn

  2. angie Says:

    there are no words and yet, you found them.

  3. Alison H. Says:

    When the world goes to hell, all that's left is the love. Beautifully expressed

  4. snowbirdpress Says:

    Thanks, Charles, for the words that so perfectly portray how important each life is…how connected we all are to each other. Many thanks, Merrill

  5. Penny Harter Says:

    Beautifully captures the feelings so many of us had that day, Charles. Thanks!

  6. shaheen Says:

    the same feel daily in our squares the smoke blood wounds in our part of the world
    let the school door shut
    come home my children
    blasts may not blow you thanks for your feel charles

  7. Alan Summers Says:

    I only just managed to not read the haiku to find out the answer.

    Are you still friends, or even got back together again?

    Good haibun!

    Alan

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