Those who have yet to run or play

On the 10th anniversary of 9-11 I was in New Jersey
Two tickets landed in my lap to go see sportsball
I called up my best friend Hot Dog Danny 
He appeared in the parking lot embracing me
Michelle and Jiali were there, best friends as ever
David was protecting his family on the field
When Plaxico caught a touchdown pass skillfully
We noticed his family cheering wildly, willfully
Looking back, it makes my heart squeeze
Were they celebrating the catch
Were they celebrating his body
Were they celebrating his spirit
Were they celebrating that a man was out of jail
What was he celebrating
What will I do on the 20th anniversary of 9-11
Where will I be 

How did the Jets win that night
when the flag was pulled taut
Its stripes were stretched long 
like those towers were taught to be tall
The stars fell into place 
like easy diagonals 
before the game of hardscrabble
a stadium of squishy kneecaps
What was a wobbly knee worth
when the anthem played
Perhaps others were already 
patiently genuflecting cautiously
calling my green wave 
to protect, to shield
those still on the field playing 
or down the hill running
and those who have yet to run or play