Enola Gay

The pilot died recently, and this inspired me to write

 

No pause, but that which memory creates

Did time allow, or in the pilot show.

For steadfast and removed from all debates

He sailed the void; unknown to those below.

 

From out his vessel came the single end,

Most concentrated power to destroy,

The judgment which a man dare not defend

That he so great an evil could employ.

 

A monumental blast of radiant heat

To vaporize the earth, the very air,

An utter irredeemable defeat

Of cleansing bitter hatred and despair.

 

The pilot, with a momentary glance,

Thought much and little of the sin he bore,

In opening hell he’d staved off hell’s advance;

Mankind’s worst weapon ending man’s worst war.

 

It is a subdued, somber sort of way

We speak in memory of Enola Gay.