by Buff Whitman-Bradley
When I was a boy I read war comics
Terry and the Pirates Steve Canyon
Captain America and I fantasized
About fighting against the Nazis and
The cruel Japs who hated my country
Twenty-five years later a student
Of Zen Buddhism I went to Japan and
Met my teacher’s master a small town
Temple priest who had been a
Fighter pilot during World War II
Later on that same trip I visited the Peace
Museum in Hiroshima and surrounded
By twisted pieces of debris stopped clocks
Scorched and melted Buddhas I imagined
My own shadow burned into the wall
Buff Whitman-Bradley is a peace and social justice activist in Northern California. In addition to writing, he produces documentary videos and audios. With his wife Cynthia, he is co-producer/director of the award winning video Outside In, about people who visit prisoners on San Quentin's death row.
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