Where I Was

Where I Was

The principal marches
down the center aisle
of the auditorium and
pulls aside the music teacher.
I can see her say "What?"
then shake her head
as if to swat away
the words she just heard.

Orchestra practice
ends abruptly and
we scatter back
to our classrooms.
My teacher makes
an announcement
then dismisses us.

The short walk
home seems longer.
I go in the side door,
through the kitchen
and look into
the living room.
My mother has
the television on
and she is crying.

I know then
that the worst
has happened,
even before
I hear the
newsman say,

"From Dallas, Texas,
the flash apparently
official. President Kennedy
died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time,
2 p.m. Easten Standard Time...;;