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"Little Boy"
Such an innocent name.
We dropped a nine-thousand pound
atomic bomb, equal to twelve to fifteen
thousand tons of TNT onto a populated
city, destroying five square miles,
instantly obliterating
eighty
thousand
human beings...
whose shadows hysterically
held tight to the concrete,
blindly reaching out to reclaim
their missing beating hearts,
their warm blood, their untroubled thoughts
from just a few seconds earlier.
And three days later,
we did it all again.
Style / type:
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity):
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Last few words:
Hiroshima, August 6, 1945 -
Editing stage:
Content level:
Not Explicit Content
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Region & Country
United States
Favorite Poets
I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.
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Comments
Geezer
Wed, 2024-08-07 23:28
The raw truth...
is that when we are convinced that we are behaving in a "Christian" manner, with "God" on our side, we will act as fanatical
as any other so-called "animal" and dirty savage. We are desperate to make the whole world believe as we do, and...
well, you get the picture. I remember what it was like growing up with bomb drills and us hiding under our desks, if we saw a bright flash from Schenectady and the G.E. plant, "Don't look, hide under your desk." Now days, we know enough not to bother, if you see that flash, your ass is toast! I see this piece as being a special part of our history; the feeling that somehow, we are responsible, just by being American. Cheers ~ Geez.
.
There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.
Lavender
Thu, 2024-08-08 08:27
Hello, Geezer,
I wrote this last fall and thought I'd post it during the three day anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is an organization called "Remembering Hiroshima, Imagining Peace" which honors victims, and also calls for the elimination of nuclear weapons, and weapons of mass destruction. This poem is kinda in the same spirit. A raw look at ourselves and what we are capable of. The "we" does include Americans, but overall, humans as a whole since the creation of such devastation is worldwide.
Thank you, as always, for reading and sharing your thoughts!
L
author commentGeezer
Thu, 2024-08-08 09:11
I just realized...
that perhaps I did not make it clear enough, that despite the sad and tragic note of this piece, I enjoyed reading it. You have a way of drawing the reader in. ~ Geez.
.
There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.
Lavender
Thu, 2024-08-08 12:40
Thank you, Geezer!
It means a lot to me that you read and offer your help!
L
author commentRula
Thu, 2024-08-08 16:33
Dear friend
A timely writing indeed. I thought though it always fits. Pretty much what goes on in Gaza Stripe ror 300 days now.
I wish I can say that I enjoyed the read, but of course it hits a cord.
Thank you for sharing.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Please follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Lavender
Fri, 2024-08-09 22:49
Hello, Rula,
Yes, you are right. Somehow, sadly, it always fits. My thoughts are with those in Gaza.
Thank you,
Lx
author commentRula
Thu, 2024-08-08 16:33
Dear friend
.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Please follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Lavender
Fri, 2024-08-09 22:51
Sending much love
to you, My Friend.
Lx
author commentLeslie
Fri, 2024-08-09 07:20
L
Such a waste. A fine poem and are we not looking it in the face. There's no way out of here! Someone pleases show me a painless exit.
All of God's children singing, holding hands in the rain!
Lavender
Fri, 2024-08-09 22:55
Hello, Leslie,
As I mentioned to Geezer, there is an organization (among many) that reflects and remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki, while spreading hope through activism to get rid of the nukes around the world. Gives me cold chills to think about what we are capable of... still, after seeing such horrific results.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I always appreciate your time!
L
author commentCandlewitch
Fri, 2024-08-09 07:36
Dear Lavender,
I cannot begin to tell you how this poem makes me feel...to say that I have been gut-kicked does not go far enough... an excellent piece, to be sure!
*respects, Cat & eddy styx
*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.
Lavender
Fri, 2024-08-09 23:00
Hello, Cat and Eddy,
All those fellow human beings...
I certainly appreciate your reading, as always!
Lx
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