Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Hiroshima, or Ring a Bell

“The dead can survive as part of the lives of those that still live.” 
~ Kenzaburō Ōe, Hiroshima 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.

Hondori shopping arcade in 2007 in Hiroshima

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

Below:  Aioi Bridge, Hiroshima 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'."  

This photo was taken in the Peace Park in central Hiroshima in November of 2000. 

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.)

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.