Years Have Sped By

Poems

Apprehension on the Telephone

My eyes had just barely opened;

Arms and shoulders sleepily stretched;

When that very moment the telephone clamoured,

And didn't permit me a word to add . . .

 

Surely you've heard of the fright and dread

With which people, fish and even lowly cattle are beset,--

For fifty megatons of destruction has spread

From an A-Bomb -- Heaven forbid!

 

The explosives fly through the air . . .

With rain and dust they become integrated . . .

It will disturb the flowers' fragrance . . .

And smooth roads will be devastated . . .

 

There'll be no comfort of a hiding place . . .

Neither in the attic, nor in cellar, beneath the surface.

Our fields accursed have grown.

We've dealt up poison with the food we've sown.

 

Wheat and corn with heads bent in,

Unfit for human consumption; poisoned, diseased . . .

What a sin! What a sin!

And milk for children -- unfit to be used!

 

Fowl, sheep and cattle flesh,

Potatoes, onions and carrots . . .

All are shattered . . . I have no rest --

As a wild dread engulfs my thoughts.

 

"Permit me, permit me, my friend, but to add a word,

Calm your quaking . . . calm your fright . . .

Every nation may yet join this horde,

And put their name to this terrible blight!

 

As every nation sharpens its teeth with iron and steel,

Preparing for world annihilation . . .

People won't dare, while in their full senses,

To push the world to disruption and destruction.

 

Be calm, my friend, the world's not yet at an end,

Free your heart from fear and sorrow. . .

Have hope . . . believe . . . be confident. .

Create and build today and for our morrow!"