Duck and Cover

by Steve Luttrell

It was
the Cold War
and a Hard Rain fell

and a voice
of authority
spoke.

We were told
to “Duck and Cover”
under a small wooden desk.

But hiding
under a desk
would not

have been
an answer.
Would not

have saved
my sorry little
ass.

If the Russians
had really
been determined.

Had really
been
that Red.