"In Remembrance"

This evening I sat pondering
My mind drifted, wandering
Over the past eleven years
Have we forgotten our fears?

Out the window I gazed
Sun setting, the sky ablaze
I remember where I was
It’s clear, absolutely no fuzz

English class, at a computer
Teacher absent, never missed her
The door swung wide
“National Guard, get outside!”

Several students left
I remained with the rest
Didn’t know what startled these folks
Found what I thought was a hoax

Some Hollywood hype
Another site I typed
CNN and NBC confirmed
The towers twin—burned

I return back to the now
My dinner finished—but how?
Outside, beyond the glass,
Three flags, raised to half mast

City, state, and nation
One didn’t move from its station
Amazing how even Old Glory
Takes its part in this story

The wind was blowing
Two flags flowing
The third? Motionless,
Drooped in remembrance

Distracted by a flock of birds
Then I remembered those words
Of Mr. Francis Scott Key:
“O say—can you see?”