When I contemplate the horror of the atom bomb
I catch my breath, only to scream
The only acceptable response to mankind’s mass suicide.
There is no calm or rational approach to madness
There is no civil reply to abomination
No explanation, no rationalization.
There is only an unending scream.
Don’t ask me not to interrupt your brunch
The scream will pierce your eardrums as you eat your quiche.
I’ll scream as you watch the Super Bowl and my scream will rise above the roar of the crowd
My scream will continue until the roar of the crowd is one big scream at the greatest of sins.
I will scream at your televised debate
And at your campaign rallies
I will scream until everyone feels the madness that cannot be denied.
I will scream at your child’s christening to alert him to the sick truth
I’ll scream a scream that sounds like madness but is in fact the only sane response to madness.
I will scream for every innocent animal unaware of what we’ve made.
I will scream until every man, woman and child feels the same fear and dread and horror that lurks in my heart
Until there is not one corner or bit of darkness in which the madness can hide unperturbed.
I will scream because I can do no more
And because I can do no less
There will be no peace
Until there is peace
You will not sleep
And if you do
The scream will haunt your dreams
Don’t ask me to be quiet
And let the grownups talk
The bomb makers and the Jim Jones know-it-alls
And the good boy media sock puppets
Don’t ask me to sit alone in a dark closet
Feeling the bugs and worms crawl across my skin
The scream has too long lain silent
In my heart alone.
