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Terra Incognita

So strange this land, old and yet young.
Where is this place of tall green trees,
and grey-haired men in unknown tongue?
they must have traveled summer's breeze.

Adobe brick quonset "chalets"
mud-soaked roadways in all the blocks.
WACs and wives and waifs everyday
midst hollyhocks and four o'clocks.

Los Alamos*, this place must be.
A land of Oz 'neath bluest sky.
Where science dealt humanity
a fatal blow, then watched it die.

A perfect paradox is this.
How splendid to contrast the two--
a lovely place/a devil's kiss,
and wisdom sprinkled like the dew.

I left quite soon but still recall
the secrets hidden on each page.
The lilac mountains looming tall,
their perfume of fission and sage.

August 5, 2022
"Terra Incognita"
for This or That, Vol. 13, poetry contest
by Edward Ibeth

*Los Alamos Laboratories, New Mexico, are where the atomic bombs were
created then dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in WWII.

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Sotto Poet Date: 9/9/2022 5:14:00 PM Your poem is really fantastic, Ann; I'm very happy for you that you won the contest, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my page. Login to Reply

David Kavanagh Date: 9/9/2022 11:36:00 AM Your poem is quite brilliant Ann, congratulations on the win in Ed’s contest, Today is the first time I’ve read it, so had no impact on my onslaught poem, the bomb was always an inevitability, if not the US some other country would’ve developed it in the late 40s/early 50s, then what, certainly not the world we live in today, cheers David Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 9/9/2022 4:14:00 PM Thank you, David. So odd, it seems, that you and I had the same topic in mind. I live in NM, but was very small when it happened. You might be interested in Joseph Kanon's book, Los Alamos, a good fact/fiction read.

Edward Ibeh Date: 9/4/2022 10:08:00 AM Heartiest congratulations on your win with this brilliant write, Ann:-). Have a blessed Sunday! Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 9/9/2022 4:27:00 PM Thank you so much, Edward! Los Alamos was truly Terra Incognito, for if you asked about it, it didn't exist, ever. :)

JCB Brul Date: 8/15/2022 2:04:00 AM Oh, this poem melts my heart as I read each line. A fave for me. A sure winner. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/16/2022 5:06:00 PM Thank you so much, JCB. It's a sad reflection on our past.

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/10/2022 6:32:00 PM That first stanza just walloped me when I realized that this poem was about Los Alamos. Excellent, Madame Poet! Thanks, gw Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/16/2022 5:11:00 PM It truly was terra incognita to most of us. The sadness lingers in my mind. Thanks for commenting, Gershon.

Suzanne Clear Date: 8/9/2022 9:25:00 AM Anne, So hard to remember this community in such a beautiful mountain setting. I'd rather not....your poetry is so emotional for me. Thank you, suzanne Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/16/2022 5:15:00 PM Thanks, Suzanne. I know how you feel. Beauty and the beast.

Rico Leffanta Date: 8/6/2022 11:49:00 AM 129,000 dead and disfigured by one atomic bomb only encouraged the development of H bombs. Mankind is prone to think only of the moment rather than consider Alternatives and consequences. Well said, Ann! Diseases create enough devastation! Aloha! Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/6/2022 1:46:00 PM Thanks, Rico. Hiroshima and Nagasaki reside heavily in my heart, as in many New Mexicans alive during that time. I'm rereading a book by Joseph Kanton on that era. It reignited my emotions, thus the poem. Aloha!

Hilo Poet Date: 8/5/2022 5:41:00 PM Striking imagery brushed delicately, Ann, for your pensive penning is a definite winner in Edward's forthcoming contest. Dare I say First, well, I'll back that up with a definite Fave for me my friend, Aloha~William Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/5/2022 6:05:00 PM Oh wow, William! How kind of you to say these lovely words and to fave! Los Alamos and the bombs are black marks on our lovely land, never to be erased.