November 22, 1963

Listen to Wes McNair Reading the Poem

November 22, 1963
Initial Exploration
We were just starting out when it happened.
At the school where I taught the day was over.
As far as they could tell, it wouldn’t be fatal.
But the principal couldn’t finish the announcement.At the school where I taught the day was over.
I had a dentist appointment right after work.
But the principal couldn’t finish the announcement.
By then, we now know, the president was dead.

I had a dentist appointment right after work.
On the way, I hurried home to tell my wife.
By then, we now know, the president was dead.
I remember Jackie’s pink pillbox hat in the film.

On the way, I hurried home to tell my wife.
Turn off the vacuum cleaner! I shouted at her.
I remember Jackie’s pink pillbox hat in the film.
I kept thinking I was going to be late.

Turn off the vacuum cleaner! I shouted at her.
I had never made her cry like that.
I kept thinking I was going to be late.
In one frame Kennedy’s head goes out of focus.

I had never made her cry like that.
The funny thing was, the dentist didn’t care.
In one frame Kennedy’s head goes out of focus.
We didn’t realize there would soon be others.

The funny thing was, the dentist didn’t care.
We were just starting out when it happened.
We didn’t realize there would soon be others.
As far as they could tell, it wouldn’t be fatal.

Notebook Page 1
Transcript 1

   
Transitions and Structure
Notebook Page 2

Transcript 2

   
Endings and Line Breaks
Notebook Page 3

Transcript 3