August 6th is the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. For the dVerse Monday haibun challenge, poet Frank J. Tassone suggested we write a haibun “that states or alludes to either the Hiroshima attack, or one of the themes of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, such as peace, the abolition of nuclear weapons, or the horror of nuclear war.”
From my place of privilege, I would rather post about my pets, show photos of flowers… you know, the nice feel good stuff. I almost passed on this week’s poetry challenge, but given the current state of the world, I felt it important that I not do so. So, not my usual fare, but in my thoughts:
It never really registered, when I viewed the black and white newsreels. The children, in the street, crying. Some naked, their clothes having been burned off their bodies. Some… I wouldn’t even want to describe it. I wouldn’t want to put it into words, because then maybe it would cease to be a black and white movie, and it would be real. Real flesh and… flesh and…
… the flesh, it was melting off their arms.
Mushroom cloud rising
I can only imagine –
no, not even that
What Rhymes with Stanza? 
Wow! Your struggle to describe the effect of the attack on the children echoes our own struggle to comprehend this incomprehensible horror. The raw honesty of your haiku intensifies this struggle. Well done! Thank you, Maggie.
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Thank you for the prompt. It’s good to get a nudge out of complacency.
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You put complacency to the sword with your haibun, for sure! 🙂
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I’m glad you stepped out of the comfort zone to write a haibun on this topic and a powerful write it is.
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Thank you. Comfort zones can be a danger in their own way.
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I don’t think any of us were in our comfort zones to write to this prompt. But there are some amazing posts — some personal ties — insights — feelings. ….no, not even that
powerful write in showing your emotions and feelings about this.
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Thank you. Yes, I read several posts before doing mine. I was impressed at the many ways people were choosing to address the prompt. But all head on.
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No, not even that. 😦
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Oh, it is so very hard to even imagine the horror of it. I feel your words.
-HA
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It truly is. Thank you for commenting.
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I think it’s a good thing to face the horrors sometimes… but never let it swallow us. Sometimes we have to look at a kitten too, if not — how would we know the real alternative to war.
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Yes, we need perspective to maintain our humanity. Thank you for the reminder. I’ll probably be posting some furry cat pics in the near future 🙂
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I know its hard to imagine the horrors and what must have been a terrible ending of many lives. Thanks for joining in ~
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