September 11

Yesterday she was just like any other little girl Passing notes, soccer camp, the borders of her world Protectors there with easy smiles Mommy's scent, Daddy's hand Unspoken courage for each new mile. Where does she find that courage now As her world collapses and she asks how? "Who will pick me up, take me home?" Who will hold her close, yet let her grow Mommy and Daddy went to work for just a while Now it's forever How do you explain this to a child? Yesterday he was just like a million other boys Pokemon, video games life's simple joys Batman, the coolest hero of them all Now a bedroom altar is a blank, bare wall Just the picture of Dad at the station Receiving a nightly whispered vow "Dad, you're my hero now". Thrust beyond his years, forced to say goodbye A childhood shattered, and he asks why? "Who will go to the game, teach me how to drive" " You said it would be OK Dad. Why'd you have to die?" "Mom cries a lot, cause Dad you're away awhile" How do you explain this to a child? Giants crumble as birds fall from the sky Frightened eyes look upward unsure if heaven will reply Dazed, shaken, blood and tears forever flow For the innocence of a nation lost Freedom, Freedom We never fully understood the cost We never knew, never paid the price As terror now sits on our doorstep Look both ways and think twice How much we took for granted How cheaply we valued life And... Where does she find her courage now As her world collapses and she asks how? Where will he find his hero now His childhood shattered and he cries "How?" How do we... Heal a wound that cannot be bound Lift hearts beyond now sacred ground How do we, can we... Raise hopeful wings under falling tears Restore their innocence, erase their fears Let hatred's circle quickly disappear How do we heal the children So sweet, so fragile How do we... Should we... Can we ever... Oh, why do we have to Explain this to a child.