in parentheses

an entire generation of young minds
branded all at once.
back in fourth grade
classes were interrupted when eyes looked up at tv screens
to see red flags waved:
two giants struck down by missiles,
well, planes actually,
but when you’re a kid it’s all the same.
that was the day their lives really started
because after that nothing was as it was before.
you can’t expect the 9/11 kids to not do something about things.

it’s no wonder they’re in a rush:
they never know when a plane could crash.
so they live like it’s their last flight
but for some reason they keep buying tickets, booking trips
never knowing when a plane might crash.
you can’t expect the 9/11 kids to not do something about things.
they’re gonna be grown-ups one day
and who knows what they will imprint then,
but hopefully it’s not red flags and missiles.

an entire generation and then some Occupying,
because that’s all they knew growing up.
Occupying space for democracy is the motto:
Afghanistan, Iraq,
Egypt, Saudi Arabia,
versus
Wall Street.

An entire generation sucked on sour warheads for the sweet center,
only to meet cavities and dentists in the aftermath.
You can’t expect the 9/11 kids to not do something about things
because you never know when a plane might crash.