Watching

She wakes to the sound of the phone ringing,
though it is not early. 

She should be up.

Her mother on the other line

only

says, Turn on the TV. 

Something about her mother’s voice tells her
she should also wake her husband. 

Together, they observe the second plane fly
into the second tower. 

In real time.  The reporters.
had been reporting on the first. 

Had not
expected this.  Their shock and confusion
exposed as they simultaneously

attempt

to report and sort out what they
are seeing.  As the girl watches, something
both unfamiliar and frightening

begins
to stir; it takes up residence

within
her womb. 
She is young, expecting her first child
but now something else kicks

inside her, as new and strange as the small fetus.
Innocence souring. 

All her beliefs
about how life should be

were on that plane.

Margo Roby