Hiroshima
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Japan.
Within a nanosecond’s span,
that single word emblazons images that land
like flashbulbs snapping off behind a whirling fan—
tobacco smoke conceals command;
the modest fist of reason, slams—
its compromise discounted, banned;
The Man approves their heinous plan—
all sixty-four U kilograms;
plane’s bomb bay doors decant their vengeful ten foot lance—
a horror telegram;
mushroomed air expands;
no time to scram;
civilian flesh returns to sand,
existing for eternity as shadow holograms;
hand on pram—
snowman, melting where he stands;
unyielding poison weaves in bands
through city streets— a homicidal caravan,
obscured by superheated ash aprance;
atrocities demanding to be damned;
rebelling diaphragm — cram Zofran;
examine narrative programs,
the albatross of shame draped like a sacrificial lamb
upon the necks of textbook diagrams;
scam!
the tale too bland—
accounts They watered down, then canned;
release the dam into the sea Godzilla bravely swam;
enfold a thousand origami cranes with perfect slant;
strike up the band—
exclaim your chant to bear the weight your country can’t unbrand;
a righteous soul withstands!
Need more? Check out these stories, poems, and essays at the MockingOwl Roost.
- There Isn’t Language for This – Mental Health Essay
- The Flood – Challenging Emotive Poetry
- Divergent Memory of a Burning Heap – Micro Essay
- Home When I Get There – Poetry of Loss
- Unconventional Choices – Micro Essay
- Unfinished Fragments – A Poem to Explore Grief
- Behind the Mask – a Personal Essay
- A Touch to Remember – A Poem of Loss
- Pins and Needles – Writing Memories
- The House – A Poem of Loss
Necia Campbell
Necia Campbell is a writer from Vermont who also edits pro bono in her free time. Her work has been published in Twisted: A Horror Anthology and Unseal Your Best Life: Poems Revealing, Past, Present and Perfect Moments with an additional two pieces in forthcoming, but as yet untitled, poetry anthologies.
1 Comment
Beautiful sentiment. I live in Japan, it became even more vivid.