Recollections of October

It was October, the leaves fell,
I reveled in my youth.
But what happened in sixty-two
took the fun and
innocence out of autumn;
There were missiles in Cuba.
Missiles,with more on the way.
Warnings were given,
demands and threats made.
At thirteen I learned
the meaning of a naval blockade.
Grown-ups spoke in hushed tones
over hastily brewed coffee,
eyes and ears glued
to the television for the latest news.
We went to bed and slept uneasily,
not knowing what kind of world
we would wake up to,
if we woke up at all.
Two giants, swords drawn,
faced each other
in a battle of wills.
The great bear blinked
and we stepped back
from the abyss
that nearly swallowed
an anxious world.
It was October, the leaves fell,
somehow I felt much older.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Dietrich Avatar
January 2, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Wow were you in the US at this time. Strangely I never had a clue this was all going on. I was immersed in my childhood innocence. Good one!
Allison Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 12:30 PM
What a detailed description of the cuban conflict - I have learned so much from you poem and comment replies, sadly nothing changes and with all the conflict in the world it seems to be 'forever autumn' hugs jan xx
Summers Avatar
July 24, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Thanks for reading Jan. It was a tense and frightening time but compared to today it was a cake walk. No, nothing changes. John
Nicholsen Avatar
April 26, 2024 at 6:09 AM
This is so intriguing I wasn’t born but read the history of the Cuban conflict enjoyed reading your work.
Summers Avatar
April 27, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Yolanda, thanks for stopping by to read. It’s appreciated. John
Wolf Avatar
April 12, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Whoa. I was 12 and remember it like it was yesterday --- heh-heh, maybe like it was last night... Five years ago is almost a blank in my mind, but not Kennedy vs. Kruschev or the Kennedy vs. Nixon debates in 1960. You reprise it well, John. Hope we're not stuck on the brink with Biden!! What a contrast: Our youngest (at the time) Pres. as compared to old slow Joe... Doesn't bode well for us, does it? Joe will have to 'move ahead with vigah!' lol.
Summers Avatar
April 27, 2024 at 9:52 PM
Missed this one when it first came…sorry. Your contrast is well noted. John
Hargreaves Avatar
January 9, 2024 at 2:09 PM
Frightening times. Krushchov with missiles aimed at the US. But did the US have missiles in Europe aimed at Russia. Methinks I'd rather not know. Tony
Summers Avatar
January 10, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Thanks much for reading Tony, tense times indeed. And yeah, you’d rather not know. John
Wolf Avatar
October 10, 2023 at 7:47 PM
I like how you tied in those nerve-wracking days in October '62 with the autumn leaves falling --- and aging... I remember those days vividly. The neighbor next door actually dug himself a fallout shelter. (He was quite the outdoorsman and so coordinated).
Wolf Avatar
November 13, 2023 at 4:12 PM
Added meaning now, with the chaos that broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Let's hope that there's a leader around with enough awareness and common sense to take a step back from the abyss this time. Now, the odds are worse though, with so many different countries at war or on the verge of war. ~ Pray, Gershon
Summers Avatar
October 11, 2023 at 3:10 PM
Crazy times then. Living in the shadow of NW Indiana’s steel industry I figured we were first strike territory for sure. Thanks for the thoughts. John
Andresen Avatar
October 8, 2023 at 12:19 PM
- Uncertain times affect us a lot ... I think there are many young people (and adults) who get worried when the media drops everything into our laps ... life becomes different - A great write with your feelings, J. - hugs
Summers Avatar
October 8, 2023 at 3:36 PM
Thanks so much for reading. Things have been tense before but most could handle that. Now the problems are bigger, more numerous and world wide…yeah, it tends to freak people out. Thanks again. John
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