I turn off the news, dry eyes,
go to bed. He asks how I am,
this white man married
to a brown woman. I tell him,
I’m sad for Paris, of course,
but there are people dying
in attacks like this
across the world, every day.
When the towers fell
we were frightened and angry;
we’re still dealing with the aftermath
fourteen years later. I am
broken-hearted for Paris
but I am frightened
of what we will do.
*****
11/14/15