Guess The Year

I remember it well!

On a day like this,

many years ago,

when November

was a cold, damp

month,

when Russia

refused to glue

Germany back

together again,

 

an egg fertilised

during February's winter,

it divided,

and divided again

until it formed,

full-term,

nine months later,

the eleventh month.

 

Then,

McCarthism was rife,

segregation in US schools

deemed unconstitutional,

Puerto Rican nationalists

shot five congressmen.

 

First kidney transplant,

polio vaccines in schools,

nuclear fallout and radioactive waste 

concerns.

 

Films to watch;

On the Waterfront,

Rear Window,

Doctor in the House,

The Seven Samauri.

 

Music to our ears;

Hernando’s Hideaway,

Three Coins in a Fountain,

Mister Sandman,

Young at Heart.

 

Under Milk Wood

broadcast,

Oxford wins

the 100th Boat Race,

Aneurin Bevan resigns

from the Labour Shadow Cabinet,

Bannister runs four minute mile,

Diane Leather breaks

the five-minute mile,

Chris Chataway breaks the world record

for the 5000 metres.

 

The Lord of the Rings 

first published,

end of meat rationing,

Britain's first eclipse since 1927,

maiden flight

of the English Electric Lightning,

first UK Wimpy Bar,

Churchill reaches

his 80th birthday while still in office.

 

A busy and historic year

as a mother cradles

her newborn child.

 

11/11/20

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Many events here I have no knowledge about, but some I do know. Roger Bannister, Under Milkwood and 100th boat race. It has to be 1954 and that was the year my sister was born. Enjoyed the trip back in history and learned something too. Well conveyed free verse John.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Chris, sometimes moving from rung to rung stirs memories.

[barleygirl]

This is a little bit before my time, so I'm not guessing. But I do enjoy your plethora of details to depict a specific day of remembrance. Interesting that this poem is dated as being posted on Veteran's Day (in the USA) & it presents a very different kind of remembrance. I've never been the kind of person to identify with pop culture as how I would define some specific day in history. I missed much of pop culture growing up in the boondocks with no access to TV or movies or consumerism! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Unfortunately not before mine Margie. Actually the year of my birth, so the memories are rather shaky lol! Many thank yous!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

1954....On the Waterfront wins Best Picture...
Brando best actor....
4 years after i was born....
My year was '50---Lord of the rings...my favorite.
thanks for this nostalgic trip, John...
I remember this year well...ha ha...
I am still young at heart...even if the mind is failing...Happy Birthday.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Can't hide much from you Jacob! Aye yesterday I was reminded by all even though I do not do my own birthdays! Many thanks jacob and well spotted!