What Is Today?

December 8th, 1980
November 7th, 1991
April 5th, 1994
November 7th, 2000
September 11th, 2001
October 27, 2004
January 20th, 2009

October 10th, 2000
We went to the hospital
First thing in the morning
We were assigned to a room
And the monitors attached
Started the pitocin
In early afternoon.
After eight hours
Of hard labor
A delayed epidural
And a botched episiotomy
A child was born
A happy few hours
Of joy and relief.
He was taken away
To be observed in the NICU
And a bit after than
The hemorrhaging began.

So what is today?
A day that we all remember together?
A day that you will remember alone?
Or a day, just a day, like any other.

"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."