Before the Gregorian calendar the months in a year were Ten
I remember from my schooldays the Latin for Nine is Novem.
November is a sombre month, with winter closing fast
Many events, some centuries old, have happened this month past

Guy Fawkes on the 5th in 16 hundred and five,
Planned to blow up Parliament and King James, but fortunately did not,
The powder barrels in the cellars were found and he himself was caught
So Parliament was saved from the ravages of ‘The Plot’

The most important time this month, is 'Remembrance' on the11th
When we remember, with Flanders Poppies on our breast
The millions who died in the Two great wars
‘We will remember them’ in their rest

Elizabeth 1st ascended the throne in November 1558
November 1947 was Princess Elizabeth’s and Phillips wedding date
So you see that Royalty favour the month November
In fact Prince William was engaged to Kate in 2010, the month not difficult to remember

Many historic events took place in the month we are exploring
King Tut’s Tomb in 1922, for which Howard Carter had been searching
William Tell, Claud Monet, and Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’
The Leonid Meteor shower seen each November when it’s cosmic light unleashes

But the event to surpass all the rest, when all is said and done
Was in November ’83 when Microsoft released upon the world, its ‘Windows Version One’

© Norman Dengate