The Summer of 1969 was a defining moment in the life of America.  The currents that led to it swept away many of the traditions of the past in that season of our discontent.

Taking Stock
by Michael Romani

Bethel, New York
The summer of 1969
It was America's fork
Done a generation defined

In a disastrous refrain
Screaming for no more rain
In the face of a storm pouring
There would be no such ignoring

There was, admittedly, no plan
But getting together as best we can
In our pilgrimage to each other
A revolution of sister and brother

And that revolution did ignite
Grooving in the music and light
Frayed at the edges of society
Finding love in that notoriety

Dreamed a bit too proudly
Played maybe a bit too loudly
There in a field of possibility
Transformed into an artistic reality

Art and music joined together
A shining place of mystical better
Everything up for grabs to be rethought
Hoping to move beyond what was once sought

Vietnam loomed over all of life
They wanted peace but were delivered strife
Deferring those moments so very terrifying
Tuning into something far more satisfying

Parents were maybe living too reverently
But, 1968 demanded things done differently
Bobby led as the people's golden choice
Until his assassination curdled their voice

Too much pain and too much devastation
Brought bittersweet tears of wrath to our nation
There was something happening not all that clear
Warriors against disillusionment would persevere

Until the flood waters grew to overflowing
The banks gave way as we believed in our knowing
That the times were changing into the new
We had arrived as a brotherhood, me and you

(c) September 3, 2019  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved