Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony & Peace Message Lantern Floating Ceremony
I watched the Gozilla movies the day after Thanksgiving when I was growing up. The inconic road, the atomic fire, the wanton destruction of Tokyo or other monster: I lapped it all up.
Caught up in my joy, I never understood then what Godzilla truly meant.
Growing up in the last two decades of the Cold War meant living under the threat of a nuclear strike. New York City was a prime target, and I still live in New York’s back yard. The terror of enduring a nuclear war permeated our culture back: films like “War Games” and and Mad Max series, the primetime TV miniseries “The Day After,” were some of a legion of examples.
Caught up in my fear, I never considered the only people that ever endured a nuclear strike.
Today, another Hiroshima Day arrives. The people of Hiroshima, and visitors from around the world, gather to remember the attack that ultimately cost 140,000 lives. But they also gather to advocate for peace, and an end to the threat of nuclear annihilation.
During this time, where a US President can threaten nuclear holocaust against opposing nations with impunity or a lone suicide bomber can ignite a “dirty bomb” that would kill thousands, the message of Hiroshima Day is more important than ever.
May we all listen.
rippled reflections
of a thousand red lanterns
a survivor’s tear
I am guest-hosting at dVerse Poets Pub today for this week’s Haibun Monday. We’re commemorating Hiroshima Day 2018. Come and join us! The pub opens at 3PM EST.
Frank J. Tassone 
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