Dreaming the Mushroom Cloud

(x = space)

Dreaming the Mushroom Cloud

I suppose it’s because

I knew the movie

Would appear today

And got me thinking

Stirring something

Too

As a surprise

I dreamed I saw the cloud

The mushroom cloud

Rising above the horizon

Of the tress

Near the place where I was standing

And I knew

Inescapably

The effects would be upon us

I could be atomized

The irony of the name for the bomb

As a result

(in addition to the cause)

Or I could be set

In winter

The awful winter without food

Or safety

And were the people inside

In the building near me

(in the dream)

Ready for a new companionship

Survival from the blast

And all the blasts

And then I woke

It’s been a while

Since I had a dream like that

I don’t think

Since childhood

When I looked up on summer days

To wonder if a silver missile might

Arc out of the blue

And toward the ground

No matter what the season

Counting

It was the famous cold time

For a war

C L Couch

(I think it’s today that the film Oppenheimer premieres)

Photo by Alen Smola on Unsplash

clcouch123

I prefer Christopher in conversation. In writing, I use C L Couch because it’s a genderless form of my name and, frankly, easier—I have severe writer’s cramp. I mean to be a poet writing spiritual and occasional verse. The photographs used permanently here—for the banner, for my profile—were taken by Debra Danielson, a photographer and friend. You may enjoy more of her work at debra.danielson.org. If you would credit me when quoting my work, I'd be thankful. As I am thankful for your presence here.

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