THE STONE COLD TRUTH

It was 1963 when I turned five

and it was great to be alive.

Then, I learned there were rules,

I had to go to school!

It only seemed like mom didn't care

when I told her that I was scared.

Soon though, all went well,

the other kids were so swell.

My friends and I were full of zeal

and our cartoon lunchboxes were the deal.

We sang, we played

and even took naps,

after drinking milk from cartons

through long straw caps.

What could be better?

I could soon write a letter.

And after learning the alphabet

I felt like, hey life, I'm all set!

However, my bright sunny days

would soon give way

to a darkness, of which

nightmares are made.

November came and all seemed okay

but, late in the month on that fateful day,

the world, like the wind,

would grow cold and take an awful spin.

Parents were called and soon arrived,

evacuation plans were now in stride.

Goodbye's to teachers were hastily said

and from the parking lot, we quickly fled.

Tears started flowing during the News,

even Walter Cronkite and his crew.

We were in disbelief when he said:

"we now know that he has been shot in the head

and the fear is, that the President is dead."

Shock became grief, and then pain

as he went on to say:

"there is little we can do now,

other than pray."

Occasionally, Grandma and I would watch the Soaps.

How appropriate, the names of the shows:

"The Days of Our Lives," "The Edge of Night,"

"As The World Turns," and "Guiding Light."

However, I shall never forget that look in her eyes,

as, up until then, I never saw more sorrow

then when Mr. Cronkite said:

"John F. Kennedy will be buried tomorrow."

Growing up fast in a slow moving world

was a way of life for little boys and girls.

Going from dolls and toys to losing a tooth

is painful, yet, can be soothed,

but, this hard lived history, is the stone cold truth!