A Sad Anniversary

Today, August 9, 2010, is the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. Although I posted this before, on May 28, I thought I'd put it up again today as a remembrance.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Image: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Several years ago, I wrote a book of poems (as yet unpublished) about kids in World War II America. Back then everyone was involved in the war in one way or another. It permeated life in every city and town in the country. Each of the poems is from the point of view of a different child. Here's one that deals with the atomic bombings and the end of the war:

Michael


HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI

Two cities bombed—
obliterated—to end a war
that has gone on for
what seems an eternity.

Is it right to end the killing
of American servicemen
with the killing of Japanese civilians?
I just don’t know...

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

The war ended, but at what moral cost? I'm glad I didn't live during that time--I don't know how I would have answered that question.

If you believe in a "higher power," pray for peace. It's obvious to me, that Man can't, or won't, do it on his own.

Me at a peace rally in Boston in March 2007. Although it looks like we're having a fun time--the signs that are blocked read, "Make tofu not war," "No war no whey"--we had a very serious purpose in being there.