Bullies

One minute to midnight
On The Nuclear Threat Clock
The world suddenly started
To reel with shock.

Nineteen hundred and sixty two, 
Khrushchev shared,
Fidel Castro dared,
John F Kennedy declared,
And the world trembled
As two fleets assembled
On the Atlantic Ocean 
Bound to converge.  

With bated breath we waited 
For a winner to emerge
As the world’s two bullies
Played potentially lethal games
Seemingly a bit more serious than 
Sabre rattling and calling names.

They strode the world,
Fought the odd proxy war
But this time it seemed 
Just a little more.
And then all of a sudden
One backed down
One fleet sailed for home 
As the other turned round.

The victor crowed as
The vanquished lost face
And they started off again 
With their power race.
The school yard trembled
And then settled down
As each continued with
Another propaganda round.
The schoolyard bullies 
Put their toys away
But readily available for
The next time they played.

On The Nuclear Threat Clock
They moved the hands back 
Until the next time the world
Again feared a nuclear attack.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Summers Avatar
December 18, 2022 at 1:52 PM
Awesome write. I was a freshman in high school living in northwest Indiana…heavily industrialized and according to most government sources a prime target area. It was tense. John
Ireland Avatar
December 19, 2022 at 7:44 AM
Thanks John. As you say, a tense situation. I was a teenaged soldier in West Berlin at the time. Terry
Flood Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 11:23 AM
I’m always confused by this episode in history, Terry. Confused that they let it go so far, yes. But mainly confused that I remember it clearly… but I was three years old at the time. Great poetic depiction. Terry
Ireland Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 7:33 PM
It fascinates me because I was a small part of it. The whole Cuba situation reflects very badly on the US and its bullying ways. Reads like fiction rather than fact
Flood Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 11:33 AM
That would seem sensible, Terry. But I remember my parents being worried sick and their relief when it was over. I’m sure there’s an explanation, but both my parents are gone and I’m the eldest sibling, so I’ll just have to remain confused.
Ireland Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 11:28 AM
Maybe the fact that it dominated US/USSR relations for years afterwards. Thanks Terry
Bauer Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 9:46 AM
I remember this, Terry, and you’ve described it so well…
Ireland Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 11:03 AM
Thanks ilene i was working with the US Army in Berlin during the crisis. Quite eerie
Volumes Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 3:13 AM
Risky business, if it wasn't so serous and scary, they would seem like schoolyard kids playing with weapons as toys. Great idea to depict this situation in this way, Terry.
Ireland Avatar
December 9, 2022 at 11:04 AM
that's exactly how it seemed Wendy i was there
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