Hiroshima Poem by Tom Courtney

You stood at the small rusty pump
because Mommy gave you a chore to do
Mommy said to go and fetch water
for breakfast we’ll prepare hot noodles
while Daddy's still sleeping
and Mommy's in the kitchen
and Mimi's at the rusty pump

You were a good girl that day
and every day, for that matter
Sometimes mommy would scold
but you always tried
and you never wanted to disappoint
anyone

And the sky was such a bright bright
blue that day I think it was in August
You wore your flowered white dress
that day the one with the tiny blue print
because the night before
Mommy had set it out for you

And you never knew what came
to visit that day
Six-year olds are only taking care
of their chores and little things
You never knew what came
wobbling down out of the sky

because it a brought fire
It brought a big big really big fire
and because it took you away