As Time Goes By

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Thu, 06 Aug 2015
  • 3693 reads
16 comments
 

As time goes by memories fade
and events tend to be forgotten.
Who does now recall
the innocently named Little Boy,
descending at speed
from high in the sky,
in a great ball of fire?

The hibakusha do.
They are the people
on whom a black rain
left an indelible mark
at 8.15 on the morning
of the 6th August 1945
and yet survived.

Their testimony tells
of the fate that befell
a tranquil city
on a hot and cloudless day:
the buzz of a plane,
a flash of transcendent power,
a mushroom cloud.

Seventy years have passed
since the day of that cataclysm;
bells toll in remembrance
of the moment when time stood still
before  the catastrophe ensued.
A  reminder of the grim potential
that technology possesses.

© Luigi Pagano 2015

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

And this reminds too; but also brings to mind some of the viscious hatred that is shedding bloodshed around the world today, and the attempts to stop it that sometimes go wrong, or are questioned in themselves. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

As I said, Rhiannon, it is "A  reminder of the grim potential that technology possesses." It is unfortunately a technology that most  so called 'civilised' countries have and to which others aspire. It is something that, as you rightly say, is shedding bloodshed around the world today. The manufacture, sale and use of nuclear wepons will have to be stopped in order to achieve global peace and we have to dispute the fallacy that they are defensive deterrent. This is my view.

Yours truly, Luigi

 

Submitted by scratch on

I can't imagine the devastation and horror that followed this awful event but this poem puts me close to it. Well done Luigi.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Your comment is greatly appreciated, Peter, as are the cherries. Many thanks.

Luigi

 

Submitted by Bee on

'A  reminder of the grim potential
that technology possesses.' - and the itching to try out that technology is evil. Well done, Luigi.

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

An itch that could easily bring about apocalypse, Bee.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You summed up the horror completely in this piece of writing Luigi. The scars it must have left would have been devistating and unimaginable.

Very well put.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

The devastation that the atomic bomb caused was immense; it killed thousands of people and caused unspeakable suffering to survivors. It was an abomination that some people described as being comparable to the Holocaust.
I thank you for your feedback, Jenny,

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is very well done Luigi, thank you!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks for letting me know, insert. Your feedback is truly welcomed.

Luigi smiley

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

This is so good.  Very strangely I find myself in a cabin by a lake in Vermont having just read an ancient Boston Magazine article that was knocking about giving the history of the building.  This place was built by an engineer/chemist who developed weapons and was so traumatised by his role in the Hiroshima destruction that he altered his life, dedicated it to peace and built a Hobbit/bomb shelter/shrine in the grounds.  All very odd and atmospheric and strange to be here tonight.  Feeling haunted and sad.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I say, P.S,, you seem to be an inveterate traveller. It was Iceland before, if I recall correctly, and now Vermont; I'm envious. But that's by the way.
Firstly I have to thank you for reading the poem and letting me know that it was to your satisfaction.
The information about the engineer/chemist and his quest for peace in the aftermath of Hiroshima is very relevant to the topic being discussed and so timely.

Best wishes and don't be sad, Luigi

 

Submitted by EB on

The mention of the moment just before it happened is poignant. Well done!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Elliott, thanks for your thoughts.

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by loquaciousicity on

You mention "the grim potential that technology possess"...

Actually, it's the grim intentions of those who think they can gain by dominating the rest of the world that we must worry about...

In 1945, there was only the '1' that had the capability... and the '1' could do as it pleased with no self-repercussions...

Now there are more than '1', and '1' doesn't seem to realise that the '1'-sidedness of 1945 no longer exists and continues to play with fire... the fire of Armageddon... 

Someone once once sang "when will they ever learn'...

The grim reality is that the answer may be NEVER...

Wonderful poem!!!

 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Terry.
It is true that the main worry is the intention by evil people of using an atomic bomb to gain world domination and the fear that nuclear weapons might proliferate but if the technology to develop that bomb had not been there, the temptation would not have arisen. I still hope that mankind will come to its senses.
Your compliment of calling this poem wonderful has pleased me very much. Many thanks.

Luigi smiley