Poem about the Kent State Shootings of May 4, 1970

 Here's one of the poems I've written over the years about the Kent State shootings of May 4, 2022:

Close to My Heart

Kent State University

May 4, 1970. 12:24 PM

Forty-three years ago today,

National Guardsman’s bullet,

shot 293 miles from my college dorm,

blew through my chest, landing at my heart

where it remains today. The Doc said,

“It’s too dangerous to remove. You’ll have to live

with the chronic ache.”

That day, while my cousin Maggie ran through a fog

of teargas to the Theatre Building, and high school friends 

watched from the corners of trees and buildings,

Guardsmen, not much older than me, bayonets fixed--

then: sixty-seven shots ring out on Blanket Hill.

Four dead, nine others wounded, untold traumatized,

Guardsmen and students alike. I, with pericardium, 

peri-anima trauma,

called up Mom and Dad, back in Euclid,

Crying and yelling at them, total innocents,

for being . . . what? . . . adults, easy targets

for my pain.

Hope they forgave their hurting son,

hope the pain around the hearts of Ohioans,

Kent Staters, Americans,

hope the pain

heals.

Robert M. Coughlin / May 4, 2013

Robby's First Communion: A Poem

Robby's First Communion

Robby,

Dear Grandson who shares my name.

Nana Linda and I want you to know

That we rejoice over your First Communion!

Mine was on May 20, 1956, at St. William’s in Euclid.

Nana’s was two years later at St. Margaret Mary in Cincinnati.

In those days the First Communion classes were huge,

And hundreds of boys and girls were in line–

The girls dressed almost like brides, white gowns, gloves, and veils,

The boys dressed like little Gentlemen.

It was a day of the greatest happiness, both in Church,

And later at parties at our homes:

Everybody was there, grandmas, grampas, aunts, uncles, cousins,

A wonderful party, a wonderful day.

Your Big Day will be wonderful too, Robby,

A day you’ll still remember when you are an old Grampa like me,

Privileged to see your own grandkids make their First Communions.

Hurray for you, Robby!

We love you, God loves you,

Your family loves you,

And always will!

[Grampa Bob/Brrr, May 7, 2022]