9.11.01

where were you?

i was in my loft 

in the chicago loop

in the shadow of the sears tower

watching the today show

live

the first plane hits 

matt lauer is reporting

there is confusion

then

the second plane hits
it's clear

we're under attack

i wonder 

when will the sears tower be hit?

i can see it from my window

still standing

no fire

yet

dan had already left for work

safely out of the city

there's a knock on my door

it 's heather
my neighbor

we cry

a plane hits the pentagon

what we should do?

i grab my mini hand-held tv

we walk to work

together

we stop at the chicago river

OH MY GOD!

the south tower collapses

we watch

on my mini hand-held tv

a few people gathered
they watch too

looking up from the tv

the sears tower is now being evacuated

i walk on

i arrive at work

my  building is closed

i head home
running past the sears tower
hoping it won't be hit

heather is already home

her building is closed too

another plane crashes in a field pennsylvania

then

the north tower goes down

heather leaves the city

suburb bound

i remember my dad is traveling

i panic

is he in new york?

it's possible... i can't remember

i call my mom in california

she's asleep

she knows nothing

i share the news

dad is in detroit

he's safe

will chicago be next?

will the sears tower be attacked?

will it fall?

dan comes home

we decide to stay in the city

all u.s. planes grounded and accounted for

we cry and cry

we can't stop watching the tv

downtown chicago is a ghost town
quiet
eerie

we hang a flag from our balcony
our neighbors do too

the world will never be the same