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Open Poetry #43
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Sounds that Shattered - 11/22/63
| Open Poetry #43 |
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Sounds that Shattered - 11/22/63 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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Sounds that Shattered I remember enjoying Fridays, simply because it was either macaroni & cheese or cheesy pizza and Fridays were the days I saved for school lunches to relish the taste of youth. I remember enjoying innocence simply, because my world had been sheltered and yes, I knew of life and death but I was {almost} twelve and inexperienced I remember times of edginess, simply because I didn’t yet fully understand words like fey, or perception, or intuition although I could spell them very well. ~*~ Sounds shattered in Texas that Friday, I knew it in the running of a teacher, down long hallways of education, talking to the teachers, then running, as teachers crumbled, and crumpled asking an already still classroom to please, be quiet, as she shattered our innocence in a few words but intuitively, we {I} began to feel the repercussions ripple forward into our {my} forever-changed lives as we were excused for lunch, to go, please, eat, we will let you know if you will be going home; we did as we were told, talking in whispers, some of us not whispering at all, but wanting to know only safety. ~*~ They kept saying she was dressed in pink, but black and white forces you to use your imagination, so we only saw shadows on her skirt, as if some dirt had forever stained her suit. There was no magazine for People then, that colorfully played the moment again, and again, only three t.v. stations to broadcast shadows as horses slowly clopped, carrying the fate of a nation; only pages of Time held print in silent remembrance of a man who passed too soon, the media not casting Camelot aside wickedly until decades later, and we would learn more than we cared to know. Some moments ~ a day, or time, a bowl of creamy mac & cheese, a smell, or a color pink bring back the sound of footsteps, running, whispers of fear, feelings gone insecure, when the sounds that shattered innocence came and went, one November Friday. (c) 11/2004 krj |
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| © Copyright 2008 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
I was just thinking of this being that aniversary and how not once today have I heard anyone mention it. I wasn't yet born, but close. Throughout my upbringing, though, I was reared on the stories of the tragedy of that day and that of MLK and Robert. Let's hope no more children ever, ever have to face the uncertainty of losing a leader to assasination. Heartbreaking write...your work is amazing. |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Sunshine - I remember when, and your writing made it real again, thank you.. BC |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"...and we would learn more than we cared to know." There have been times when I have craved the soft young world of unknowing. |
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Callista Member
since 2008-10-05
Posts 63USA |
I remember very well also. You skillfully juxtapose innocence against this dreadful scene, and then...innocence lost. "The Moving Finger writes, and, having writ, |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Karilea, you have a wonderful story-telling gift. You set the scene so perfectly, showing the normalcy of the day, until the fatal moment. I remember it happening very clearly although South Africa didn't have television in 1963, and we only heard it on the radio, but have seen it on television since. I thought it was 1962 and couldn't have told you that it was in November, let alone the date. The whole world was shocked and horrified. I didn't ever think of it from the point of view of the American citizens, let alone an individual. Thank you for my tears, and the opportunity to remember again and mourn again the death of a fellow member of the human race. How is it that people can do such atrocious things with such a terrible result? - Owl |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Karilea... I was only 3yrs old and lived in New Zealand so there is no way I would have remembered this event happening ... but yet...I somehow recall it.. a very sad day in your history... you have written an exceptional poem here.. love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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nourzihane Member
since 2008-07-10
Posts 254Algeria |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Friends, I'll be away for a few days...thank you for sharing this past date, today, and all yet to come days with me through your words and passion. Take care of yourselves, enjoy the Thanksgiving season, and be one with your families and friends. Love, Sunshine |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I was in chorus~~ remember it well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,Karilea. hugs M |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I remember sweeping the floor when the news interupted a program I was watching on TV. I was 19 at the time. You have written a piece of history here. A time anyone who was there will ever forget. So well done. Ida |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
I remember it so very well...the initial disbelief, then so many other emotions.. piling on top..and the sadness of the funeral and little John standing there, saluting.. I cried, again and again.... |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
This gave me chills I remember my own innocense of mac and cheese smelly boys and getting my pigtails pulled..then the lights went out and we were all sent home in a frenzy but didnt fully grasp the why at the time |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Thank you, dear Karilea, for this very special remembrance, so very intensely rendered. I remember too ... images that will forever be sharp in the mind, as an event that truly shocked the world. Enjoy your days, dear Karilea! Love and hugs. Margherita |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
I remember a student running through the lunch-room telling everybody. And I didn't believe her. And then when we went back to class it became true. The school bus driver cried. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo dear Sunshine, I remember that day well. My wife and I cried like babies. I think we scared the kids. Love Bobby |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I didn't open this expecting to shed tears... but shed them I did. For you captured the look on my teacher's face, the stillness that came into being without a shhhhhhh being uttered... the shock and tears as a Baptist congregation prayed... and onto the black and white image of a little boy raising his hand in salute... Ye gads, woman... you can WRITE!!!! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
You wrote a sad piece so well.I remember too. And I remember when he came through New Haven I tried to get a photo of him in a white convertible. I did but it was not clear, as I had to hold the little camera I had up over my heard and snap it. I wondered why he would elect to go to Texas.It seemed I just knew it was a mistake riding in an open car like that in Texas at that time. "late" |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
You have captured the moment well. I was in the sixth grade. Before they let us out of school early for the day, we went outside as the they lowered the flag to half-mast. Certainly a moment I will never forget. |
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rhia_5779 Senior Member
since 2006-06-09
Posts 1334California |
I wasn't alive at the time but this is really powerful and a beautiful tribute to that day. The title and each word of the poem is beautifully crafted and well written. Powerful write! WritingFree |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
Oh yes, I remember too. |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
"when the sounds that shattered innocence came and went, one November Friday" for the many of us who lived throught it (with all its conflicting memories) I feel that most of us would agree that you have captured it so very well...it changed literally everything--it is hard to remember it without emotion |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Dear dear Karilea, that is a beautiful remembrance poem that brought back memories to me as if it was yesterday. They say there are some events in your life of such magnitude that you always remember where you were at the time it happened. My wife and I were milking the cows when the shocking news came over the radio. We just couldn't believe it to start with and then when it started to sink in we were totally shocked. You have made me relive it all over again. You told it well. Love Lindsay |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
Oh K...I hung on and clung to every word of this. I am so glad I came searching today. Patricia |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Poets, Thank you. I was in Hawaii for a while recently, and the impact Pearl Harbor made on me made me think of other wars, other heros, and brought to mind even JFK on his PT 109. We have had so many men, famous, not-so-famous, and infamous, give their lives for our country, in many and varied ways. I only hope that the upcoming holiday will bring to you and yours whose sons/daughters/mothers/fathers/sisters/brothes/nieces and nephews that might be home for a short time a blessing upon your houses; and please tell them for me, Mahalo for serving this country, not only for our own sakes, but for the sake of so many other people. God bless. Sunshine |
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