The Horror of Being Awake

The horror of awakening,
Though I knew not at the time,
The horror downstairs
Just waiting for me
My mother's blood-shot eyes.

I came reluctantly awake,
Though I expected not what I found,
My mother's voice shaking
Suddenly waking me
Her loving voice a dreadful sound.

I am terrifyingly awake,
Though I know not the reason why,
My mother in unknowing panic
Walking with me
Her calm face such a pallor white.

I am much too awake,
Though the source of panic I now knew,
I stand numb with terror
My life turned over
As I find my mother's horror to be true.

The horror of being awake,
Though I knew I could not stay asleep,
Shock came and stayed
The rest of the day
As the world watched the towers' defeat

The weariness of being awake,
Though I know sleep is one of nature's calls,
While to have slept would be kinder
Instead, I write this reminder:
September 11 has affected us all.