DYB2011-Part-II-web

Poetry for Peace contest
In 2011, a social media Poetry for Peace contest invited the world to hear the
testimonies of atomic bomb survivors, called HIBAKUSHA, and to respond to their
stories in verse. A total of 741 poems were submitted, some echoing the pain of the
victims, others calling for nuclear disarmament and almost all crying out for peace.
The contest brought poets from all over the world together for the sake of peace.
Below is the winning piece. The second and third place winners, as well as
other entries, are available from http://www.un.org/disarmament/special/
poetryforpeace/.
Explosion Affected Reflection
Blasted into a wasteland,
behind an old torn photo
Father silently weeps
for what were once his people
their voices and love forsaken
while Mother has grown old
torn in recollection with grief
her children’s young kisses
still innocent upon her cheek;
memorizing, unborn babies
hear exploding bombs
as yet she stares, despondent,
out the broken window,
in remembrance for peace.
—Helle van Aardeberg