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–
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.
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–
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–
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side . . .
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time . . .
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–
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you . . .
–
–
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o
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–
–
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me . . .
–
–
–
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.
.
a
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–
–
–
for
every
.
part
.
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.
piece . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ for
every
.
part
.
a
n
d
.
piece . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
pulse . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
page . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
promise . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
a
n
d
–
–
–
possibility . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
o
f
–
–
–
we.
Reflection:
This is a reflective-themed poem looking back on the cold war era. This was a very frightening period of time where many people expected inevitable and imminent nuclear annihilation (unfortunately, the threat is still there a half-century later). Much of the writings, movies, and music throughout that time reflected these fears. Many of us never dreamed we’d still be here 50+ years later – but here we are. So, do something special, wonderful, and amazing with your life – and love, appreciate, cherish, and make the most out of each and every day. Because we are still here. And that is all that truly matters today.
I used several 1980s songs reflective of this theme to help create this poem: “Red Skies” and “Stand or Fall” by The Fixx, “Human Race” by Red Rider, “Static” by Planet P Project, “Red Sector A” and “Distant Early Warning” by Rush, and Sting’s “We Work the Black Seam” and “Russians.” I played these songs on repeat in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of this poem. If you listen to these songs at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.