Everything explodes
the fair earth
becomes a living hell
the stones cry out
a mass cremation
without mourners
a bumper crop of mushrooms
springs into being
while life itself
and death itself
die
ashes, ashes
all fall down

Silence
the fires of hell
devour themselves
and limbo sets in
the last note dies away
no applause

We awaken
realizing
that at any time
the nightmare may return
and we won't be dreaming

Do we really believe
that we stockpile nuclear weapons
to prevent their use?
That we threaten
to eradicate ourselves
to prevent
from eradicating ourselves?
There must be
a better way!