Sputnik (student poem)
Students were asked to imagine what it was like
to see Sputnik moving across the sky in 1957 and write an authentic reaction as
though they were a person living in Coalwood, West Virginia, setting of the
novel "October Sky."
Sputnik
By
Alex
After Sputnik flew into
space
In Coalwood, there wasn't any grace.
The USA was in a
race
For technology, power and outer
space.
I was worried from that day
on
That the Russians would take over the
world at dawn.
Our scientists worked day and
night
Before we wound up in another fight.
We wondered what other technologies they
had
For this Cold War was going to be bad!
Sputnik took flight in
1957
And its orbit seemed very close to
heaven.
The Russians were right ahead of the
page
And the rest of the world went into a
rage.
To see Sputnik fly high in the
sky
The USA could not stand
by.
The satellite flew by every hour and a
half
For nothing in orbit could stop its
path.
The glowing ball soared through
the stars
And made us build bunkers with
steel bars.
While families lived in
fright
Sputnik sailed on through the night.
From that day
on
The Gods shared the sky
And embraced our wisdom to
survive!
A READER COMMENT:
Alex - through your poem, I can sense
that you caught the feelings, emotions, and thoughts of many Americans in 1957.
As I read the poem, I could visualize Sputnik gracing the sky, in an ominous
sort of manner, bringing much wonder to the
world.
A great piece of writing,
Alex!
Mr. Hahn
Posted: Thu - February 24, 2005 at 02:15 PM