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Nagasaki Threnody
9 August 1945

Susumu Takiguchi
Oxford, England

 

summer's turned autumn -- in the shadow of Hiroshima, Nagasaki out of the news

 

not spared -- second flash of madness, a Christian church

 

early autumn day -- church bells and temples, silenced

 

people of Nagasaki fleeing blinded to safety -- to their death

 

"pikka-don" --         blinding flash and a big bang!                           Nagasaki obliterated

 

laughing Okane-shan -- a young lady driven mad by hot radiation

 

The Day Japan Lost the War
15 August 1945

Susumu Takiguchi
Oxford, England

 

the Day Japan lost the War, democracy resuscitated and fascism in ruins -- at what cost?

 

to end the bitterest war in history faltering "divine power" and evil bombs, dragged in from each side

 

more relieved than sad -- the Japanese nation was humbled, dragonflies still flying

 

summer grass vaporised -- in the deepest silence, procession of ghosts

 

on the hottest day militarism and feudalism died; did Japanese spirit die?

 

lost everything else -- honour, the last line of defence, we tried to win by blood

 

fifty-six years on -- still aching scars and smouldering hatred, the Chapter not closed

 

Divine Nation no more -- Japan's history shortened by over 600 years

 

 

Next: Hiroshima Day Observance 2001, a haibun

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