Genbaku Domu

I stand beside a sacred place. Reminder to the human race: A concrete ruinous tableau - Travesty of long ago. Once a home of peaceful trade, Culture honourably arrayed. Now symbolic of the worst Atrocity that man has birthed. For on a sunny August morn Was unimagined horror born. Tens of thousands in one flash Were instantly reduced to ash. Death delivered from the sky - Tens more thousands doomed to die In months that followed the campaign Of hateful radiating pain. Still can I hear, through empathy, A weak and ancient soundless plea… I stand immobilized in thought Honouring peace too dearly bought. August 8, 2015