Showman. Poem by guy lipmore

The year ‘38 radio show,
But most didn't know.
Not real, just a production,
What a reaction!
Millions hooked,
Panic was booked.
‘Aliens' have landed, yes invaded!
Only a story ‘on air' it was paraded.

Sound of the commentator,
Transfixed every listener.
Panic in his voice, the masses are glued,
Reports of destruction people dead, the show continued.
Interlude of piano,
Events outside unfolding, Orson didn't know!
Building up the suspense,
News reporters ‘on site' frightened and tense.
Real life panic from outside,
Orson was asked to ‘remind.'
That it was just a show,
But his rebellious streak said 'no,
If people are scared, that's good'' he said! !
Further still, the public are fed..
The broadcast continues, more ‘reports' of bad news.
‘Eyewitness' accounts the tension mounts.
Death, destruction, heat rays' killing,
No stopping them, human blood spilling.
Unable to defeat, only option is retreat.
The ‘outside' masses start to panic,
Roads jammed with people and traffic.
Thousands would flee, believing it's ‘reality'! ! !
‘Newsflash' a cylinder is surrounded, good news it sounded.
Hundreds of military obliterated,
The `report' stated…

Broadcast interspersed with pauses of silence,
Then interrupted with bursts of ``Martian violence``
Defeat after defeat, the bulletins concede
Hysteria it would feed.

Meanwhile, events outside, would reveal,
That some are real.
The show was causing a real situation.
Right across the nation.
Terrified people, heading for the hills to hide,
Real life reports of suicide.
Radio reports of objects in other places,
Fearing the worst, ‘handkerchiefs' on faces.
Ready with gas masks,
Driving desperate with full roof racks.
Calls to the police flooded in,
Worries and fears were genuine.

Reality was suspended,
``HALLOWEEN SPECIAL``, the radio show has ended! ! !
Commission held to question, Wells,
Answers of innocence, Orson tells.
He had been totally 'unaware'
He would solemnly declare! !

26/09/06


Showman or Not.

Whatever the accusations and recriminations,
Orson adapted the story with vivid imagination.
Public reaction he could not foresee,
Any fatalities were a tragedy.
Orson the man,
The showman?

27/09/06