That 16th Floor Poem by Marie WardAlonge

It was a day America was touched by tragedy.
Perhaps, a day no one thought would end.
Many stories have been told since.
For me, on that 16th floor, this is how that day began.

Up early and walking-trying to make it to the office by eight.
I was running behind and had to do what it takes.
I was rushing to work to cater to people's egos and more.
They were all in that office on that 16th floor

Thinking of turmoil within that office before I hit the door,
Being caught in the middle of nonsense was becoming a chore.
As I hurried, I enjoyed viewing the beautiful pond with ducks and a jogging trail across the street.
Always rushing and hardly having a moment to myself were becoming obsolete.

Yet, it was a peaceful sight.
It was a moment I wanted to hold on to until night.
I knew as soon as I came into that office everything would not be alright.
Since I been there, I noticed too much cattiness, pettiness, and jealousy that ran amok.
It was much drama on that 16th floor just to earn a buck.
Little did I know, we were 46 minutes away from the real drama that struck?

It was 9/11 and someone in the office told us the first plane had hit.
The news disturbed us I admit.
We thought this was a terrible accident.
Then a few minutes later, the second plane came.
Our belief changed quickly.
This was done intentionally.
We knew America would never be the same.

New York was under attack.
The Big Apple wasn't the only one as the country began to track.
We stood and listened in shock.
Later, the towers came down.
America had been rocked.

Then an announcement from our office was made.
If we didn't feel safe, we can go home.
I was trying to stay calm.
So, with others, I kept up this façade.
I really felt we should not have been there.
I thought the company should have done more to persuade.
In a display of unity, we stayed.
I had a sickening feeling of helplessness as I attended to business and watched the people on television from these places who needed aid.

The next day I felt a need to appear poised and to provide the office with comfort as best as I can.
People were sad and understandably so.
However, they rejected my helping hand.
I was naïve somewhat.
I just didn't know.
Never been to New York, I could not understand.
Why later during that week, the city had not cleared the destruction from the land.

Over a year later, I had decided to leave that office on that 16th floor.
It was too much going on.
I could not take it anymore.
I took myself out of the equation.
There was no need for me to settle a score.

It's been over 8 years and with them, I didn't keep track
I never made one visit but I have had some flashbacks
Over the years, anxiety kicked in
I didn't want a pill
I just needed to heal

On 9/11, I stared at the rubbles
In ten years, I have watched America trying to recover from its troubles.
However, we have stood strong
We are a nation of character
We shall carry on

From watching many documentaries, I have soon discovered
There were heroes who survived that day
There were heroes who died that day
They can not be replaced
My tears are long for the victims of 9/11
My heart is heavy for this country as we try to figure out our mistakes
We look toward the future to embrace

As for the people still in that office on that 16th floor
I hope their bickering has not been restored
Wasting time and life, one can't afford
As for me, I don't need to say anymore
However, I am happy I came down from that 16th floor