As I drive my usual route to work,
I noticed the usual things:
Houses nicely painted;
Lawns green in spite of the drought,
Neatly mowed and groomed;
People alone in their cars
Staring blankly into the future,
Connecting only with the mechanical red lights
Which impede their progress
While working to keep them safe.

Then I see American flags,
Dozens, one on each fence post
Surrounding the Endicott Estate.
They wave in the strong breeze
Under ominous clouds
Which threaten the calm of
One of the last days of summer.
One flag has been shaken loose
From its tape mooring and
Hangs limply as it is tossed to and fro.

I resist the urge to pull over to the side,
Get out of my car and
Reposition it to be upright and tall.
Something inside of me wants
That imperfect image to last –
To recognize the vulnerability
Of even the most powerful
The most generous and showy -
To point out the dangers of
Arrogance and false pride.

It is 8:46 AM.
This moment is colored with tears.

***

If my world were to end today,
I would like to have given you a call.
I would love to have given you a hug and kiss
To tell you how much I love you.

The moment of silence is over.
Our future now begins.
May we be kind and loving care-takers
Of the Universe, each other and ourselves.