History Class Poem by Jim Yerman

I was not alive in 1836.
It was much too long ago.
But my teacher taught us in History class
to, ‘Remember The Alamo'

I was not alive in 1898
when Cuba revolted against Spain.
But my teacher taught us in History class
how we must, ‘Remember The Maine'.

I was not alive in 1941
when the Hawaiian skies turned to grey.
But my teacher taught us in History class
to, ‘Remember Pearl Harbor Day'.

I wasn't alive when the Nazis were in power
and all those lives were lost.
But my teacher taught us in History class
how we must, ‘Remember The Holocaust'.

I wasn't alive when George Santayana
talked of History...and how we mistreat it...
He said if we cannot learn History...
we will all be doomed to repeat it.

But I am alive now...and I will do all in my power
to make hate, war, and bigotry cease..
So when my children's children...and their children take History class...
they'll be taught to ‘Remember a world...at Peace'.