1281 - The heroes of '61

Last night, at the Oscars ceremony
‘The Hurt Locker’ won several statuettes
I’ve just watched an earlier film by the
Same director, Kathryn Bigelow, that’s
Set in a nuclear sub manned by Soviets
During the Cold War, suffering meltdown
In the Atlantic. Some sailors had fixed
The onboard reactor, but all fell down
Sick with radiation soon as they’d found
Their way back to their cabins. Narrowly,
Explosion was prevented, the impact
Of which could have triggered war. We’re all bound
To thank them for their stunning bravery
In ’61, at the time kept secret