1961

the sirens blast
loud and long
as you curl and hide
beneath your desk.
you are waiting
for the mushroom cloud
the furnace of fire
that will engulf
your world, but it
doesn't come quite
yet. and they tell
you to run home,
with your books
and the next day's
homework, run quickly,
flee to your parents
and try not to think
too much about war,
about the end of
life, about death.
and please don't forget
to bring your field
trip money to the
planetarium tomorrow,
that is if there is
a tomorrow. those
that don't have it,
can't get on the bus.