A poem in remembrance of the day
It seems that I have been assaulted at every turn by memories from so long ago, commemorating an event shared by a whole world 40 years ago today.This is my response.
One Day, November 22, 2003
by Koram Dancer
I remember that day
Crispness of November
frost on window panes
fields laid bare from harvest
I remember that day
High school as usual
Two hours by bus
To the county seat
I remember that day
In Civics class a movie
On government we watched
Till a click and a TV voice interrupted
I remember that day
The teacher’s lined face
Streaked with tears, in shock
As we learned of the tragedy
I remember that day
Students sleep-walked
Thru the rest of the day
Radios quietly seeping misery and loss
I remember that day
Two hours on silent buses
Even the little kids quiet
The whole countryside paused
I remember that day
The day is etched forever
In my greying head.
A president taken.
A promise cut short, a future denied.
We watched and cried and mourned,
A nation united in grief
If not in politics.
The silence of that day
Lasted thru Thanksgiving
As we all held our breath,
Forgetting ourselves and our own lives,
Focused on one shattered family.
The images remain, there in my head.
I remember that day
One Day, November 22, 2003
by Koram Dancer
I remember that day
Crispness of November
frost on window panes
fields laid bare from harvest
I remember that day
High school as usual
Two hours by bus
To the county seat
I remember that day
In Civics class a movie
On government we watched
Till a click and a TV voice interrupted
I remember that day
The teacher’s lined face
Streaked with tears, in shock
As we learned of the tragedy
I remember that day
Students sleep-walked
Thru the rest of the day
Radios quietly seeping misery and loss
I remember that day
Two hours on silent buses
Even the little kids quiet
The whole countryside paused
I remember that day
The day is etched forever
In my greying head.
A president taken.
A promise cut short, a future denied.
We watched and cried and mourned,
A nation united in grief
If not in politics.
The silence of that day
Lasted thru Thanksgiving
As we all held our breath,
Forgetting ourselves and our own lives,
Focused on one shattered family.
The images remain, there in my head.
I remember that day