Memories of 9/11 on its 20th Anniversary

March Eighth

March

is a good start—

sounds upright,

suggests steady traveling.

And eighth—the glottal attack

fading in a soft th.

Even the way the numbers look

is satisfying,

3 with a slash, dot, or dash

to divide it from 8. 3/8. 3-8.

I feel this morning,

that something good will happen,

so that in some months

or years I can say,

Remember that March eighth?

But actually, I’m writing this

on March ninth.

March eighth,

with the silent, enigmatic

gh in the middle, has passed.

The first part of the day

plodded by,

the hours of work

adding up to a little money.

And after work

an hour at home with a book

before supper with friends—

Thai food with its cilantro, lime,

and fish sauce.

The moon was exactly half-full.