A Memorable Birthday

He turned twenty-one on that beautiful fall day Driving to his home from college, he got an early start on his way The father who raised him since his mother died at his birth Wanted to have his first beer with him that afternoon after work He reached the Jersey Turnpike at about a quarter after nine The lady in the toll booth looked as if she had been crying The music from his cd player continued from his speakers to blast People seemed to be intently listening to radios in every car he drove past As he got closer to his home on the New Jersey Hudson side Fire engines with their sirens on in a procession went rushing by He noticed the smoke rising from the towers that they call Twins Knowing that his father’s office lays somewhere there within He found the spare key under the mat outside the house front door Cautiously he walked inside seeing Happy Birthday signs and more He turned on the TV set while trying to call his father on the phone As that day turned into night he continued watching all alone With the sound of his Dad’s voicemail echoing in his ear That newly turned twenty-one year old boy opened his first beer His shirt front was soaked with the streaming of his tears No news did he receive that day to alleviate his fears Anesthetized by alcohol he slumbered on the floor Not knowing if he ever could pick himself up any more He was awakened by the rustling sounds of keys fumbling at the door His father had walked the whole way home covering twenty miles and four Turning twenty-one is a day that he never will forget Seeing his soot covered father was his best birthday present yet They shared a beer together without speaking a single word In memory of those who won’t come home in a world now turned absurd