An actual - factual story1
About2
Astronaut John Glenn3
Listen my children, as hard as you can4
and I'll tell you the story of Astronaut Glenn5
On the 20th of February, in the year "626
at nine forty-seven - with a sky oh-so-blue7
The countdown was zero - the condition was "go"8
The rockets ignited - the rise started slow9
Then it gained in momentum and it gained in height10
To watch it on course was a beautiful sight11
The hopes of the world were with him that day12
And I'm sure they all took a moment to pray13
His voice on the phone came through calm and clear14
and his confidence told us he had no fear15
So he orbited the earth in his craft "Friendship 7"16
Three times around - up in space - close to heaven17
The he settled at last in the waves of the ocean18
As the ships and the planes started up into motion19
He emerged from the capsule on the deck of a ship20
just over four hours to the end of his trip21
In the future these trips will be taken again22
Thanks to that ride by a Colonel John Glenn23
(Written for my Daughter Beverly on April 29, 1962)24
Author notes
A Poetry Story for the Young and the Young-at-Heart
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Congratulations on your win! A very proud contender.
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I would love for you to post your John Kennedy story, Mr. Doug. I'll be posting another contest for adults and I hope you'll watch for it. I want to do something a little different and I think your story would fit beautifully
Dee
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Thanks, jimboom, for reminding me of the Russian cosmonauts name... I thought that is his name but wasn't sure about the last and didn't want to look too stupid by posting it wrong
I believe the correct spelling of his name is Yuri Gagarin.
Dee
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Mr. Doug,
A great poem about a great American and a great American triumph. Nicely done. -
Granny Goose..
I appologize for the spelling but the cosmonaut you were talking about was Uri Geggarin. I remember it all too. -
Thanks Dee - - I appreciate your comments on my poem about John Glenn - - I have another one about John F. Kennedy and Dallas - perhaps I could post it some time
Mr. Doug -
Hi, Mr. Doug.... I guess you already know that Granny Goose and I go back a long way
I just wanted to drop in and tell you again what a wonderful storyteller you are
I wish my history lessons in school had been so pleasant to read. History is always interesting to me but sometimes it did get a bit boring...too bad the historians weren't more like you in their writing
I see you've been back and read my family's own little bit of history regarding John Glenn
Good luck in the contest
Dee
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Granny Goose:
Thank you - - I certainly appreciate your very kind comments about my Poetry Story - -
Mr. Doug -
What a wonderful way to write about our history. You've made a history lesson interesting and entertaining...and well thought out I actually met John Glenn in person at the Seattle airport when he was a candidate for the Presedential nomination. I was waiting for the plane to put my granddaughter on to go back to Phoenix ...when as the incoming passenger disembarked, here came John Glenn. I thought it looked like him, then he walked over to my granddaughter and I (she was 8 years old at the time) and shook hands with us and introduced himself. A memorable moment for both of us.
I remember his first time going into space so well.
My youngest son was born on another important day in the history of space flight....April 12, 1961 with the first man in space... the Russian Cosmonaut.. I used to remember his name but I'm stricken for the moment with another 'Senior moment' ...lol. I used to good naturadly tell my son that this was a moment in history which he better not ever get a failing grade on.
Sorry to get kinda carried away there.... just that your very good story poem brought back those particular memories
Good luck in the contest and thank you so much for entering
Granny Goose
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