Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Hiroshima, or Ring a Bell

“The dead can survive as part of the lives of those that still live.” 
Kenzaburō ŌeHiroshima Notes

“In past wars only homes burnt, but this time
Don't be surprised if even loneliness ignites.
In past wars only bodys burnt, but this time
Don't be surprised if even shadows ignite.” 

Sahir Ludhianvi

Artist Yoko Ono and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui 
stand before a 4-meter-long, 6-meter-wide sheet with messages of peace 
written by local high school students in the city of Hiroshima . . . 
one week before the 69th anniversary of the atomic bombing.  
By KYODO, from The Japan Times 7/30/2014
~

Midweek Motif ~ Hiroshima

or Ring a Bell

"Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan (Wiki).  Today is "A-Bomb Day," the day for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima, Japan.  The devastation of nuclear war became clear in 1945 when the USA dropped one A-bomb on Hiroshima and another on Nagasaki.  "The two bombings were the first and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare" (Wiki).

Today's Challenge is to write a new poem from the point of view of a character or historic figure who:
Either (1) could be in one of the following pictures from 1940's and modern Hiroshima.  
or (2) might ring a peace bell or sing a peace song somewhere today.


Above:  Hiroshima city before and after the nuclear bomb blast in 1945.


Below:  Aioi BridgeHiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome),

Above and below:  Flame of Peace (Hiroshima)Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Above: Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument with chains of Cranes.

Below:  The Peace Bell"Rung by visitors 
as part of their wish for Peace. 
The dome shape of the belfry symbolizes the Universe. 
The bell weighs more than a ton. Around it wraps a map of the world 
with no national boundaries shown, to symbolise 'One World'."  
Hiroshima Peace Bell

A plaque by the bell reads:  
We dedicate this bell As a symbol of Hiroshima Aspiration: 
Let all nuclear arms and wars be gone, 
and the nations live in true peace! 
May it ring to all concerns of the earth 
to meet the ear of every man, for in it throb 
and palpitate the hearts of its peace-loving donors. 
So may you, too, friends, step forward, 
and toll this bell for peace! 

Dedicated September 20th, 1964
By Hiroshima Higan-No-Kai. 

Anthem      




Please:  

1.      Post your  Hiroshima or bell poem on your site, and then link it here.

2.      If you use a picture include its link.  
3..      Share only original and new work written for this callenge. 
4..      Leave a comment here.
5.      Honor  us by visiting and commenting on others' poems.


(Next week's Midweek Motif will be Happiness.)


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34 comments:

  1. One of the darkest incidents history has ever witnessed. Thanks Susan for remembering all those innocent lives.

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    1. Thank you, Mani, for your fine poem and for taking up the Midweek Motif challenge with Poets United. I am still writing mine, there are so many possibilities on this prompt!

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  2. Thank you for the prompt...when wrapped up in an internal war it often feels shameful to know that many know what is real war...it may not be expressed but the thought is certainly not lost...

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    1. All war is war, Jae Rose. How do we go on? We go on. I'll be round to read your poem soon, Jae Rose. Putting some final touches on mine.

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    2. Wow, Jae. Thank you for posting today about war.

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  3. i wrote a relatable piece. can't imagine their experience. so much one could say about the human mindset when civilians are acceptable as collateral damage in war. we lived it in Vietnam, also.are living through it in Iraq, Afganisthan, Egypt, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza etc.

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    1. True, too true. Your poem is a mind blowing one. Thank you for posting it today.

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  4. I couldn't come up with a poem for Hiroshima but I went with the other motif: Ring a Bell which I hope is a poem to entertain but not to impact. loves. jt

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    Replies
    1. It entertains and impacts. Would you have it any other way?

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  5. "Ring out the thousand wars of old
    Ring in the thousand years of peace"
    ...sang Tennyson in the 30's of the 19C...neither could we ring out what he wanted nor could we ring in his dream...thanks Susan for the prompt...

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    1. But we can accompany his words. What are these words we post today? Shouts? Songs? Walls? Doodles? I had to stop writing, so many words rise up at this prompt.

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  6. Thanks for the prompt. Mine is up. It came sadly and quickly.

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    1. Yes. I just came from there reeling. I've been enjoying your increased participation, Gail, here and on my blog too.

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  7. I wrote something that the post triggered. I don't know if I did justice to the prompt. This prompt touched so many emotions, for a change I was short of words.

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    1. Yes. My goodness. I feel as if all of us are making the invisible visible. Thank you for posting to this prompt.

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  8. Thank you for your prompt Susan, i only went for one angle, as i have been aware of the events in Gaza, in my thoughts.

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    1. Alan-I don't see a way to comment on your beautiful poem/chant which reads to me as a rewriting of the new testament in the light of recent testimony. Gosh.

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  9. susan thank you so much for this prompt!! ive have read some of the most heart touching painful poetry here that i can never forget!! loved it!! thank you everyone for sharing!!

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    1. You are most welcome! I am in total agreement that I am reading exceptional poetry today, finely tuned to opening hearts. And \we'll be here to read and post through Friday night, so tell your friends ...

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  10. I have met several survivors and cant imagine the harrowing moments of mass destruction.

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    Replies
    1. I had met only one. You took me to the edge.

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  11. Susan, I haven't written a poem for your prompt yet. Hopefully, I'll be able to write something soon. I just had to comment because this post had such an effect on me. Maybe it's because I've always loved bells, their ring sends me directly to a place where there is nothing. Maybe that's peace. Seeing the picture of the bell in Hiroshima stirred me deeply. Don't mean to be dramatic. Just want to thank you and let you know that this is a wonderful post all on its own. Nice that you're inviting us to participate in it. It's a great prompt.

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    1. Thank you, Myrna. I love that my prompt affected you like that as I took a lot of time pulling it together. Looking forward to your poem, big or small. I'll be checking in through Friday, so you have time.

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  12. Such a powerful prompt that brought many emotions to the surface. Thank you for allowing us to remember the many souls lost on that day

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    1. Thank you for doing it! I was coward enough to hide behind Big Ideas. Your poem is magical and dark.

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  13. Thank you Dr Susan.The world needs peace.The writers and poets must write about it.

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    1. Thank you for doing so. Every little bit helps out there and in here.

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  14. I haven't been inspired for a while, and the reality of Hiroshima is beyond words, yet I offer this brief thought.

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    1. Thank you for posting a song we can sing until the real one is written.

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  15. Fine poem, Purp. Please tell me what you have against posting your piece through Mr. Linky like the rest of us Poets United? It's not that hard for me to visit, but surely few others do. And I've told you so many times it's a little crazy-making.

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  16. Susan,

    The impact of war and consequences is in mind every day. Sad to have to consider each new happening, beyond the horrors of Hiroshima.

    Eileen

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  17. That's all for this week's challenge Poets. I encourage you to post tomorrow and every Sunday in the Poets United Pantry. Next Wednesday, we are turning to a Midweek Motif on Happiness.

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