Last November 24th was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President of the United States John F. Kennedy. Many people took a moment on this anniversary to remember where they were when they heard the news.
We recently received an email from Seamus Hora from County Mayo in response to our blog post. He sent along a wonderful poem he wrote describing “where I was when I learned of the sad news of the tragic passing of President J F Kennedy.”
Where Were You
In my mind I see him clearly
As he stood inside the door
We sat and gazed in silence
At the sad news that he bore.
We all were fascinated
By this man from USA
Honoured by a visit.
From charismatic JFK
The worlds greatest speaker
Simple words-But oh so true.
For a country to be proud of
You must make an effort too.
He promised as he left us,
He would return again someday
But a sniper from a window
Sadly had the final say.
We had no television
But felt that we were there
For coverage was provided
By the great Michael O Hehir
I was playing bingo
The clock had just struck ten
The gambling house Mulrennans
The bearer; Our late friend Eamon Quinn
by: Seamus Hora
Seamus Hora was born in Gorthaganny, County Roscommon. He has been employed by same company, Delaneys Ltd in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, for 44 years. He has lived in Ballyhaunis for the past 20 years. Seamus is married to Rosaleen and the couple has one daughter, Sandra. Seamus only recently started to write poetry. and he bases his poems on his life experience. He values feedback and would like to hear what people think of his poem. Please leave a comment!
Thank you, Seamus, for sharing your poem! Stay tuned to the blog for my profile of Monica Wood, the author of the beautiful memoir, When We Were the Kennedys, later this month. You will also have the chance to win a copy of the book!
The Irish in America 
August 31, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Well done Seamus, Keep up the good work from all your friends at Beal Átha hAmhnais GAA.
January 23, 2014 at 12:01 pm
I have enjoyed reading Seamus Hora’s two poems.
I was a young man just over in London from Ireland in 1963. I went over in October, the following 22nd of November a work colleague and myself attended a showing of the film, Tom Jones, at the Odeon in Leicester Square. During the showing some people who had come in and sat nearby mentioned that that they had heard rumours of President Kennedy been shot. After the film we were in a pub, Wards of Piccadilly. At this time news of the shooting was both on Television and in everyone’s conversation. Leaving the pub, the news vendors were selling their first edition with the news of the shooting.
As we rode down the second escalator to the Piccadilly tube platform, we came across a woman who had fainted, her boyfriend who was with her asked us to help. Together we moved her to a bench on the platform, by this time she had recovered, her boyfriend Jack Shaefer ? told us that he was a marine working at the US. Embassy and that she had been overcome and upset when she heard of the shooting.
We traveled home together and they spoke of Jack’s tour of duty ending and of their return to Pittsburgh. The next I heard of them was nearly a year later when I received a small packet from them which contained 4 Kennedy Dollar coins. After that we corresponded for some time, however when I returned to Ireland a couple of years later we lost touch. All of that was over 50 years ago but the memories remain.
Some of your readers might be interested in looking up the website of a book which I had published last year, it is a social history of my hometown of Listowel. It has got some great reviews. The book’s name is, Listowel, Snapshots of an Irish Market Town, 1850-1950, the books website address is, http://www.listoweloriginals.com
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January 10, 2014 at 2:48 pm
I love this poem! It really defines that vital moment in history, all of the sadness and somberness of the nation. This is inspiring me to consider adding poets to my own literary blog. Great post!
January 12, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Glad you enjoyed the poem!
Sent from my iPhone
January 17, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Thank you