Things That Go Beep

Sixty years ago, Autumn was the season, Seven minutes was all it took that dark night Like a freshman, a little short of reason, I had no clue what the future held in sight. Maybe I would teach, or maybe I might not. I could be a banker, wear a pinstripe suit. Or maybe drill for oil, show 'em what I've got. I could go to sea,now that would be a hoot. October 4th, fifty seven, quiet night, Radio played Elvis, dorm rooms hard to sleep. Disc jockey spoke loudly, almost in fright, He said "Listen to Sputnik...'beep beep beep beep' " The first satellite was passing North to South Seven minutes it was above us.."beep beep" I counted each beep and every second with an open mouth I came alive - I had my own dream to keep. I became an engineer and it seemed that so soon I entered the space race and a world of awe. We spied in the cold war - put men on the moon, And marveled for fifty years at all I saw. I'm thankful for seven minutes long ago, And for Russians who made the Sputnik go beep. Elvis gets a mention for it was his show That started all the memories that I keep. 2/13/2017 For contest "The day that changed my life....."