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
Copyright © Joe Flach | Year Posted 2012
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