Zero Sum

The term Ground Zero tries my soul
Because it’s where the liners struck,
And also since, a gaping hole
Recalls that plans have run amok
To build a soaring tower where
The Twins stood. Zero progress there.

Three thousand died; we went to war.
In tribal wilds of Pakistan
Bin Laden hid. We warred once more.
Iraq the place. We’d missed our man.
But thousands of Al Qaeda killed;
Awhile, the Taliban were stilled.

Yet more of interest to us here:
A zero that must spirits leaven,
Although the wherefore can’t be clear,
The number of— post 9-11—
Al Qaeda strikes upon our soil.
Acknowledge this to faceless toil.

We should dispute the methods used
And how we lock up detainees.
No matter, though, the feelings bruised,
George Bush’s answer helped to ease
A country mourning in a trance
Three thousand who had zero chance.

—September 11, 2009