Eleven Years Without Them

As if we need to be reminded

As if our hearts were somehow blinded
As if each plane that I see fly
Light and faultless in the sky
Isn’t carrying the souls
Of Beemer and the boys
Who left their seats to save us

They didn’t obey the blinking sign

Pretending everything was fine
Waiting for the sanctions

As if every visitor to New York doesn’t wonder

And lining up without our shoes
And belts
And pocket change
We know why we’re waiting

As if we need a reason to remember
As if the date is not a scar
On each bright stripe and star

They set our flag on fire?

Then we should hoist it higher

 But we still think before we speak

Because we should; our mothers said so
And then we speak; because we must
For no one knows better what we have to say

And if I sin for what I say

Then lock me up in Bedlam
It is the safest place
In a world gone mad.

As if…