I just read this eye-witness account from the first A-bomb test (in Los Alamos, New Mexico, about three weeks before Hiroshima and Nagasaki)
It blasted; it pounced; it bored its way right through you. It was a vision which was seen with more than the eye. It seemed to last forever. You longed for it to stop. Altogether it lasted about two seconds. Finally it was over.
Don't know about you, but the idea of wars and weapons gives me chills. Reminds me of a childish poem "
The Peace Proposal" by
Shel Silverstein.
THE PEACE PROPOSAL
Said General Clay to General Gore
"Really must we fight this silly war?
To kill and die is such a bore".
"I quite agree," said General Gore
Said General Gore to General Clay,
"We could go to the beach today
And have some ice cream on the way".
"A grand idea", said General Clay
Said General Clay to General Gore,
"We'll build sand castles on the shore".
Said General Gore, "We'll splash and play".
"Let's leave right now", said General Clay
Said General Gore to General Clay,
"But what if the sea is closed today
And what if the sand's been blown away?"
"A dreadful thought", said General Clay.
Said General Gore to General Clay,
I've always feared the ocean's spray.
And we may drown." "It's true we may.
It chills my blood", said General Clay.
Said General Clay to General Gore,
"My bathing suit is slightly tore.
We better go on with our war."
"I quite agree", said General Gore
Then General Clay charged General Gore
As bullets flew and cannons roared.
And now, alas, there is no more
Of General Clay or General Gore.
I'm not a fan of Shel Silverstein's. I just saw that quote about the first nuclear bomb test and was mulling about how much I hate wars that I remembered reading this poem on a plane to somewhere. Took quite a few minutes to find it.
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