Journey beneath the midnight sky

• Emily Webb-smith, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2006

On Christmas Eve
she falls asleep with dreams of tumbling presents
but soon wakens to the sound of the whipping wind.

By the window she sits wearily,
waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa’s journey.
Her finger sleepily paints a tall tower
on the frosty patterned window.

She remembers
and silently cries
for all the pain and guilt
buried beneath her midnight sky.

She whispers to the shining stars.
Dear Santa
This year I wish you could use your sleigh and reindeers
to take all the beautiful people still buried under the Twin Towers
for a final ride in the midnight sky.
You could help them deliver their own children’s presents,
quietly waiting
while innocent children are given final goodnight kisses.

On Christmas morning
while she lies curled up in her Christmas dream,
laughter and peace are carefully unwrapped
in the saddest city of mourning.


In memory of September 11th