We want to travel back in time
Not to the days of yore
But to that age of innocence
We call “The Day Before”
When, upon reflection
The world somehow seemed fairer
And planning each tomorrow
Second thoughts were rarer
Where we could look into the air
And see a plane glide by
And not even imagine
There was horror in the sky
But now, we’re in an underworld
A place we’ve never been
Where anger looks like virtue
And forgiveness seems a sin
And yet we are forgiving folk
It’s what we’ve learned to do
Respectful of the way you pray
We ask the same from you
I don’t mind the waiting line
Each time I’m going through it
It gives me time to say a prayer
For why we have to do it
Bow your head a little
And take a moment, please
Remembering the lost
From both destruction and disease
Once I wore a bracelet
Perhaps you did the same
Engraved on it the letters
Of a captured soldier’s name
Listen to the roll call
Pick one for a friend
Imagine their salvation
Upon your prayers depend
When you think you’ve prayed enough
Pray a little more
For those who lived so lovingly
Back in “The Day Before”