17: Quiet...

This morning we woke up here on the Upper West Side

and decided to go downtown

down, down, down,

all the way down to The Battery's Castle Clinton

to catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty's shining torch

and Ellis Island's spires

and

the 9/11 Memorial

Its location is quiet, unassuming -- I almost missed it

except for the flock of people who banked into the space 

to catch a glimpse of the familiar square outlines, airy waterfalls and pools

and to read the names, one by one

...and her unborn child: There were three mentions like this in the names listed at North Tower.
These babies would be driving now, thinking about college...

Across from the pair of pools is The Oculus

an attention-getter from first sight 

I analyzed the structure as would my husband;

it's his wheelhouse

First thought: What IS this?

It beckons passers-by inside to notice 

two levels of shopping tucked underground

and even a train station

but it is quiet

so quiet

Second thought: Look how small the people are down below!  This IS big.

Across the street is St. Paul's Chapel

Built in 1766

I remember seeing its silvery steeple during 9/11 coverage

Unscathed and poised to serve

How could two gigantic buildings fall across the street and everything here remained intact?

Today's cornflower sky reminded me of my morning commute

that September day so long ago

It was beautiful, just like the water cascading into the footprints of the twin towers

It was bright, just like the glittering gold letters separating sections of names

It was quiet, just like The Oculus' deep, deep drop

...just like me

Write on,

b