NOTE: Written by Jerrice in our Friday, 40-minute, Flow-State Writing Session on September 12, 2025
Crumbling towers flashed in front of me. They became
fine sand. The air was thick with ashes, in shades of grey.
For months, the first responders choked with dust. I heard
the faint voices of my dear friends. They never vanished.
I climbed my bed of sorrow.
Hundreds of faces captured with smiles, taped on walls. I
returned home each day after searching for my kin. The
news replayed the collapsing of towers and bodies. Since
then, September tastes like ashes, like dried up blood.
I sob, smoke in grief.
I had kissed you in fresh air.
Now, tasting ground zero.
Jerrice J. Baptiste is a poet, author of nine books. Her most recent book titled, Coral in The Diaspora is published by Abode Press. She’s been nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2024 and 2025. Her writing has been published in One Art: Poetry Journal, Neologism Poetry, The Write Launch, The Banyan Review, Mantis, The Yale Review, Artemis Journal and many others. Baptiste is the founder and facilitator of Authentic Poetry & Healing which embraces the belief that connecting to Spirit is the way to living a beautiful, powerful, peaceful, joyful life.