by Stephen Prosapio
Member since:
February 26, 2007

11-22-63

November 26, 2007 12:53 AM UTC (Updated: November 26, 2007 12:53 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 21

It's dawn in Dallas

I turn down Houston and Elm

No sound - it's morning

No crowds - no shouts - no sirens

Not yet - all is still

Rising flame skyward

I stamp out my cigarette

I wait and I know

Low noon in Dallas

I prepare - I aim - I fire

It is finished now

Let them talk of innocence

Let them talk of youth

Thirty pieces I shall keep

 

Comments: 21

Elsie Duggan Nov 26, 2007, 1:22am UTC
You know Stephen, that was my husband's therory too, he was a state police officer, and he never thought Oswald did it either. Such a great poem , still stands today in my mind. a conspiracy. (I won't say here who he thought did it, but he probably was right)
Busy Buzzy Bee 'Gather Proud Mamarazzi' Nov 26, 2007, 1:36am UTC
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL STEPHEN...
I'm not sure what the reference is about for 30 pieces, but I remember that day well! Visiting Dealy Plaza was very sobering!
Jill~Sexy Back~ V. Nov 26, 2007, 2:07am UTC
thanks for sharing...this was great!
Stephen Prosapio Nov 26, 2007, 3:34am UTC
thanks all - Gabby, "thirty pieces" refers to the 30 pieces of silver that Judas took for betraying Jesus. It's supposed to be symbolic. Maybe I'm not that great of a poet...
Ann B. Nov 26, 2007, 6:24am UTC
Disturbing, Stephen -- and effective.
John Philipp Nov 26, 2007, 8:23am UTC
Powerful, Stephen.

I remember visiting there ten years ago and amazed by how small the area was. I guess it was large in my imagination because of what took place there.
Cami C. Nov 26, 2007, 10:33am UTC
Thanks for this post! It's always good to remember:)
Cheryl W. Nov 26, 2007, 11:01am UTC
Excellent poem, Stephen. I totally understood the 'thirty pieces' in your poem...Perfect symbolism.
Rand Phares Nov 26, 2007, 11:13am UTC
Excellent, Steve.

I will never forget sitting in high school study hall, hearing the words come over the PA system: "Shots have been fired at President Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas."
Stephen Prosapio Nov 26, 2007, 12:15pm UTC
Hey thanks all. I wrote this a number of years ago and was talking with a friend about it this past weekend. I figured I'd dust it off and post it. I wondered if anyone else would get anything from it. I'm glad you like it.

Rand - ahhhh haaaaa, we've at least narrowed down your age now!
:-)
Stephen Prosapio Nov 26, 2007, 12:22pm UTC
John - I had the exact same reaction. The poem was inspired by an actual dawn visit. When I was in college, I drove down from Chicago to Dallas and slept in my car. I woke up and as the sun rays were just coming up drove past the plaza. I didn't even know exactly where it would be, so it took me by surprise all of a sudden being IN it.

For a good hour or two, there was NO ONE around except for a rare passing car, which made it all the creepier.
Amy D. Nov 26, 2007, 10:14pm UTC
Great piece, Stephen. I got the 30 pieces, but wonder who it is YOU allude to in this particular event. I've never wondered about anyone's age, but I now know that Rand is older than me. I've never considered visiting the area, perhaps now I should. I never beleived Oswald acting alone, if he acted at all.
Stephen Prosapio Nov 27, 2007, 12:21am UTC
Amy -- I'll stay quiet on my thoughts on that...to be honest, I'm not sure exactly what to think. And it's something that we'll never truly know the answer to...maybe in the afterlife.

PW - thanks!
Vivian A. Nov 27, 2007, 12:55am UTC
Nicely rendered.

What a torn time in history, I like the quiet before the storm aspect or perhaps eye of the storm quality you've portrayed.
Paula Love Nov 29, 2007, 12:12am UTC
a different side to you, very nicely done.
Freedom's Daughter Dec 12, 2007, 2:29pm UTC
You are that great of a poet, it's atmospheric, sensory, good. Glad you dusted it off for us:)
necee t. Dec 14, 2007, 5:03pm UTC
very powerful, Stephen... wow... great...
G.H. Monroe Nov 12, 2008, 7:25am UTC
Very powerful and important poem Stephen. Thank you for posting it.

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