the only living creature that could survive the blast was one
singular roach living
in the cupboard behind the ramen noodles.
all the people were obliterated with their skull masks
still tethered to their blackened forms
the birds laid eggs that were blue
sitting atop the chimney
and they too were
scattered about
.
a low hanging cloud gave rain after 13 days
but only the dirt was quenched. and a few flowers sprouted and a few trees grew stunted in the
clay.
the foamy ash gnawed at the conrete
until it too was a formless dust
.
the markings of christ still hanged in the church - and the people sat quietly.
the echo of children
kept singing
and it sent a shiver down my spine as I'd walk thru the brush at night - holding
my breath