Darkest hour of the darkest day
The world stood and watched
First firefighters, next widows, then soldiers
Ordinary lives changed immeasurably

Eye of a gathering storm of war
Epicentre of a maelstrom of chaos
The towers cast a long cold shadow
Although they stand no more

The aftershocks reverberate
Fourteen full years on
One day that dictated who I became
Sent me far from home

If I could visit Ground Zero
A pilgrimage for peace
Stand and peer into the abyss
What reflection would I see?

Barry Alexander
Doha
December 2014