Children Of The 60's And Early 70's Poem by Jim Yerman

Deborah's 50th high school reunion starts today…one year late
because of Covid last year it was dismissed…
but vaccinated and wearing a mask this year she's attending
which gives me this opportunity to reminisce…

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
We stood up for kindness…for peace and love
our symbols were the peace sign…the flower and the dove

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
It's when we first experienced war and killing and bombs
in a place many of us had not heard of before…in the south of Vietnam.

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
We learned how our world of psychedelic and tie-dyed colors could quickly turn to black
when some of us who fought in Vietnam…never made it back.

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
We were shaped but not defined by that war…
We were sure we saw the world a little differently than those who came before.

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
and many of us would grow up to be
more independent,
more accepting
more innocent and free…

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
And though it's been…now…quite a while
We know…even if our taste in clothing has changed…kindness…peace and love will never go out of style.

We were children of the '60's and early '70's…
Who are no longer children…who have grown
Who now have lives and families
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of our own…

Who when we think about the last 50 years
often pause and wonder how…
How we children of the 60's and early '70's
are in our 60's and early '70's now.