Ashes - from child to man - for 9/11
He crashed the saucepan lids with wild delight Splashing the night with sound. We wondered How did he get down there? He fashioned toys from unwashed socks And smashed the locks on doors then lashed In anger. Life’s not fair. But when the memory turns and burns There’s ashes in the air. With toy guns flashing fearful flame and fire His rash desires forgiven, he wore A sash made from a sheet, Then fashioned ghosts, holes gashed for eyes, Dashed in disguise behind and tumbled Tangled guns and feet. But when the memory turns and burns There’s ashes in the air. He slashed the sword of duty from its frame Unabashed game of war turned real How did he end up there? Uncashed the untold hopes he knew Brash dreams of youth bent down and bashed And mashed into despair. For when the memory turns and burns There’s ashes in the air.