The Effected Poem by Heidi Fiore

Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City
A Third went to the Pentagon
Another in Pennsylvania
I was nine.

It was Election Day
Nana would be working at the poles
She would buy me a cupcake
I'd sit with her at lunch.
I loved Election Day.

When the bell rang
All of us fourth graders
Gathered into a single line
In the hallway outside the classroom.

My head poked and bobbed
Through the five foot wave.
I peered through my peers
Trying to catch a glimpse at the gymnasium.

As we passed the gym
The door was closed.
Nana wouldn't close the door on me.
A police officer stood outside the door.

I tried to leave the line,
But my teacher
Being a good Shepherd
Guided me back into the heard.
All I wanted was to see Nana.

As soon as the teacher left us to
Our Tuesday Tacos
I left the cafeteria
Determined to see my Nana

When I got to the door
Of the gym
The police officer
Towered over me

Suddenly,
I lost my nerve.
But I still wanted
Nana

The end of day bell could not come soon enough
I raced out
The door
For the gym.

The officer was
No longer intimidating
I was going to see
Nana.

I all but ran through the doors
Straight past all the other
Silver haired relics and cheek pinchers.
There was Nana

I smooshed my nine year old body
Between her and the table
And gathered myself
Nestled in her lap.

It was then that I noticed
The television,
The look on everyone's faces,
The look on her face.

She squeezed me tight
And kissed my forehead
And I could feel her wealth of emotions
Pity, worry, relief, guilt.

I didn't quite understand
I didn't know what it was.
All I knew was things
Were wrong.

Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City
A Third went to the Pentagon
Another in Pennsylvania
I was nine.