Before It Even Happened

Before It Even Happened by Karen Lea 

Twenty years ago - September eleventh 

Before the first tower even fell

I knew that day was going to be different 

I could feel it in every one of my bones 

The night before with my eyes fully awake 

Staring out the window at the Blackstone River 

I could smell smoke, like I sometimes do 

It was a terrible odor unlike any before   

One I could not identify with my physical senses  

I have an intuitive ability inside of me 

To smell things psychically from time to time

Before they come to pass or after the fact 

Many other people also smelled smoke that night  

That morning the digital date on my office phone 

Told me this day would be set apart from others 

Something big was going to happen today  

My intuition could sense it universally 

My mind could do nothing but wait

When Annie, the office secretary at work,  

Told me the news of tower one – I was shocked   

She was not sure of all of the details 

No one really knew the entire truth

All of us stopped working and went on the Internet

Seeking additional information – more details of the news 

Minutes later a plane flew into the second tower 

I began to feel a physical fear right down to my toes

I called my young adult daughter

I told her it would be all right no matter what 

She cried out - Oh my God, the building is falling  

All you can see is smoke – the building is not there

The people are running – they are covered in dust

Not being able to see what she was seeing on television 

My mom instincts silently wept – I remained helpless 

I wanted to console her – I wanted to hold her tight  

She cried, but very little, because through her fear 

She became the grown up – she was babysitting a cousin    

I told her to not leave the house  

I called my mother and I told her the same

Another plane hit The Pentagon – and I knew in my heart 

I was leaving work – Stephan, a co-worker, left also 

We wanted to be with family on September 11, 2001

For many of us – the angels, the missing, the ones who died 

Families, friends, the survivors, volunteers and first responders 

You and me, my daughter and the rest of the world

Life changed as we experienced this tragic event 

And through the clouds of smoke our visions changed

Even though our lives continue to honor that day and never forget 

Must have permission to reprint - Karen Lea