From Newark to Shanksville

From Newark to Shanksville.

It was a one-way flight
those aboard United #93 had not booked.
San Francisco was their intended destination.
But the nation would soon learn
of a revision to the itinerary
arranged against their will.

From Newark to Shanksville.

It was a surreal nightmare
of apocalyptic proportions
for the forty innocent victims
aboard Flight 93.
Less than 93 minutes after take-off
their hopes went up in smoke
as their dreams crashed and burned.

From Newark to Shanksville.

It really wasn't that long of a journey,
but the journey of grief that continues
nine years after is far beyond
what any surviving family member
could have expected.

From Newark to Shanksville
from so-long to goodbye.
From weekend plans to buying plots
and asking "Why, God, why?"

Why did the hijackers succeed?
Why did the towers fall?
Why did so many die that day
beneath a tragic pall?

Why is Ground Zero still a hole?
Why do "heart holes" remain?
Why do they take so long to heal?
Why do they cause such pain?

Why does this anniversary
tear at emotion's scabs?
Why does this day seem dagger sharp
as memories slice and stab?

Oh God, please buffer all who mourn
from that which haunts the soul.
Inspire them as they recall
the one who said "Let's roll!"

* Shortly after Todd Beamer and the other passengers and crew of United Flight #93 perished on September 11, 2001, I got to know Todd's parents. My poem a year ago was dedicated to them.