1960s

By Helen Marketti

The turbulent times
Had rocked the nation,
There was war, assassins and drugs.
Protests, civil rights, dreamin'
Love-ins, Woodstock and hugs.
Peace, flowers and rebellion,
Went on throughout this decade,
Musicians sang of life's torment,
While others sought refuge in shade.
Ed Sullivan introduced them all,
When fans, screamed, cried and lost touch,
Of what their rock stars were really singing,
Those messages had meant so much.
The Ford Mustang made its debut,
L.B.J. sent the boys off to fight,
The British Invasion took over,
With Motown on their heels so tight.
Martin, Malcom and Robert,
Taken so early away,
JFK left us too soon,
And history was made for a day.
For all of the other outcomes,
Of this evolving decade,
Where people rocked, danced and trembled,
Who carried signs and swayed,
Either taken too early or left us,
Their memory will never fade.
So much occurred for everyone,
The 60's were spent rearrangin'
Bob Dylan said it all and was right,
"...the times, they are a changin'..."

Copyright 2005, Helen Marketti

About the Author

Helen Marketti is an Early Childhood educator and has been teaching preschoolers for several years.  As a hobby on the side, she spends time writing poetry, reading and listening to music...mostly British Invasion!  She also enjoys collecting Beatles and James Dean memorabilia and volunteering at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland.   She lives in Sandusky, Ohio, which is the home of Cedar Point Amusement Park...one of the largest in the world with the greatest "collection" of roller coasters!

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