Patch Poetry: 'September Skin'

When asked to write a reflection on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11, Piper Auslinn, a sophomore at Oak Park High School, VIP volunteer, and Patch's July 24 Hometown Hero, submitted September Skin. She said she wrote the free-verse poem from the perspective of a man watching the event unravel from his bench seat. "It's him telling his story of how he has to live with this memory and cope with the feelings of regret and sadness," Auslinn explained. 

The photo of a lonesome bench beside an unwelcoming building was taken in Pasadena, but meant to model a scene in New York City. "It's supposed to be the bench that he sat on and was sitting on while telling his story, and the windows above it are where other people watched 9/11," said Auslinn. "I thought the brick and shadow of the building gave it a gloomy and old feel."

September Skin

I remember this day in September

The summer's love was starting to weather away

I sat on this very bench, watching the scene of a crash,

But it all seemed myopic to me.

The tremble on people's faces, the silent yet screeching shrills I heard.

How could I ever forget?

It all seemed so distant, I sat at a distance

At this moment, the sun had stopped shining and all cries were heard

I hadn't lost a soul on this day

I had gained a memory

One I would never forget, nor would I ever even want to

These strangers' souls seemed like future history to me

History that would be implanted into the minds of Americans.

My memory of this destruction seems to grow stronger with every year passing

My heart aches for that hero I should have been

What I wish I knew, before it was too late

That's why these strangers are so dear to my heart, and my mind

This day is a conduit, but as I get up and leave

I felt like I am leaving all my memories and love in my September skin.