Fateful Morning! Poem by David Lewis Paget

'I'd never have thought it would come to this, '
The civil servant said,
As the man beside him pursed his lips,
And frowned, and shook his head.
They stopped and stared at the soldiers
Who maneuvered in the square,
'They even look defeated! '
Said his friend, in a mute despair.

The morning was bright sunshine
And it glittered through the leaves,
They walked along in the shadows cast
By the branches of the trees,
'How long do you think we've got, ' he said,
'Before they come ashore? '
His friend had shivered and pursed his lips:
'A great mistake, this war! '

'So much depends on the Emperor,
He'll never let them land...'
'I fear you're right, to save his face
He'll sacrifice Japan! '
They grinned, and laughed at the irony,
Their lives would be undone;
But didn't have time to reflect again
In the Hiroshima sun!

5 June 2010