Dearest Sadako

two of ten. written in memory of Sadako Sasaki, young victim of the atom bomb.

Dearest Sadako, where have you gone?
Where does your spirit lay?

Do you remember the sweet strains
Of the music box you played?

Do you rest atop the backs
Of folded paper guardians?

Or is your final bed,
The white hospital throne?

Upon the rooftop garden,
Where you sat and soaked up sunlight,

Do you remember the smell of chrysanthemums
In your final fall?

Ten years was not long enough,
No, not nearly long enough, my dear,

For you to prove to the world,
You were worth the days so rough.

I hope your afterlife has treated you well,
Because on Earth, things have gone to Hell.

You’ll forever be in our hearts, dear,
To remind us all that we should not fear.

Where ever you lay, Dearest Sadako,
I pray your death was not in vain.