I Am Nothing Compared to 9/11 Pantoum

the pleading eyes against the airplane window
the tumbling frame of father bookkeeper son
the reporter’s livid lens
day eleven of the ninth month

the tumbling frame of father bookkeeper son
the long red tresses flaming into shoulder blades
the reporter’s livid lens
September two thousand one

the long red tresses flaming into shoulder blades
the black charred Manolo Blanicks
I am nothing compared to September two thousand one
Dali’s frozen clock

the black charred Manolo Blanicks
Atta’s crumbled mind
Dali’s frozen clock
the treble of God’s ear

Atta’s crumbled mind
Rwanda
the treble of God’s ear
I am nothing compared to the Middle Passage

Rwanda
Goree Island’s slave depot
I am nothing compared to the Middle Passage
the jumpers at Two World Trade Center

Goree Island’s slave depot
Treblinka
the jumpers at Two World Trade Center
the half-melted copper bracelet

Treblinka
the tumbling frame of father bookkeeper son
the half-melted copper bracelet
day eleven of the ninth month

(After Milton Kessler)