After September 11: 3 Poems
By Jojo Jensen

Return to Normal

Is normal where I lived
before tragedy
changed my life forever?

Is normal where I hung my
hat and coat
before smoke
choked my lungs?

Is normal where
children played
before it was covered
in dust?

Is normal where people
laughed
before tears
stained their faces?

I'll never return to normal.
I don't know where it lives
anymore.

No turning back

Your every moment
taken.
All tomorrows
fade from view.
I see darkness
only
from my rearview
mirror
as I speed
alone
into another day.

Breathe

Breath.
Breathe.
Life taken - nothing returned.
Where is the deposit
I put down on happiness?

Breath.
Breathe.
Taken, no deposit, no return.

Author Biography
Jojo Jensen is the author of Dirt Farmer Wisdom, and (in this editor's opinion) a *fabulous* voice over actress! She is the voice of our animated version of Mrs. Duck and the Woman. If you wish to contact Jojo, drop email to me (Kara) at editor@kotapress.com and I'll get your message to her. Or just visit her DirtFarmerWisdom.com web site!