'Nagasaki Days' by Allen Ginsberg
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I -- A Pleasant Afternoon
for Michael Brownstein and Dick Gallup
One day 3 poets and 60 ears sat under a green-striped Chau-
tauqua tent in Aurora
listening to Black spirituals, tapping their feet, appreciating
words singing by in mountain winds
on a pleasant sunny day of rest -- the wild wind blew thru
blue Heavens
filled with fluffy clouds stretched from Central City to Rocky
Flats, Plutonium sizzled in its secret bed,
hot dogs sizzled in the Lion's Club lunchwagon microwave
mouth, orangeade bubbled over in waxen cups
Traffic moved along Colefax, meditators silent in the Diamond
Castle shrine-room at Boulder followed the breath going
out of their nostrils,
Nobody could remember anything, spirits flew out of mouths
& noses, out of the sky, across Colorado plains & the
tent flapped happily open spacious & didn't fall down.
June 18, 1978
II -- Peace Protest
Cumulus clouds float across blue sky
over the white-walled Rockwell Corporation factory
-- am I going to stop that?
*
Rocky Mountains rising behind us
Denver shining in morning light
-- Led away from the crowd by police and photographers
*
Middleaged Ginsberg and Ellsberg taken down the road
to the greyhaired Sheriff's van --
But what about Einstein? What about Einstein? Hey, Einstein
Come back!
III -- Golden Courthouse
Waiting for the Judge, breathing silent
Prisoners, witnesses, Police --
the stenographer yawns into her palms.
August 9, 1978
IV -- Everybody's Fantasy
I walked outside & the bomb'd
dropped lots of plutonium
all over the Lower East Side
There weren't any buildings left just
iron skeletons
groceries burned, potholes open to
stinking sewer waters
There were people starving and crawling
across the desert
the Martian UFOs with blue
Light destroyer rays
passed over and dried up all the
waters
Charred Amazon palmtrees for
hundreds of miles on both sides
of the river
August 10, 1978
V -- Waiting Room at the Rocky Flats Plutonium Plant
"Give us the weapons we need to protect ourselves!"
the bareheaded guard lifts his flyswatter above the desk
-- whap!
*
A green-letter'd shield on the pressboard wall!
"Life is fragile. Handle with care" --
My Goodness! here's where they make the nuclear bomb
triggers.
August 17, 1978
VI -- Numbers in Red Notebook
2,000,000 killed in Vietnam
13,000,000 refugees in Indochina 1972
200,000,000 years for the Galaxy to revolve on its core
24,000 the Babylonian Great Year
24,000 half life of plutonium
2,000 the most I ever got for a poetry reading
80,000 dolphins killed in the dragnet
4,000,000,000 years earth been born
Summer 1978
Editor 1 Interpretation
Nagasaki Days by Allen Ginsberg: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Allen Ginsberg's "Nagasaki Days" is a poem that captures the horrors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The poem provides a vivid description of the devastation caused by the atomic bombs and the impact it had on the people of Japan. Ginsberg's use of imagery and symbolism in "Nagasaki Days" has made it one of the greatest anti-war poems of all time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used by Ginsberg in "Nagasaki Days."
Themes
The central theme of "Nagasaki Days" is the horror of war and the devastating effects it has on individuals, society, and the environment. Ginsberg's poem is a passionate protest against the inhumanity of war and the use of nuclear weapons. The poem is a reminder of the tremendous suffering inflicted on the people of Japan, and it calls for an end to war and violence.
Another important theme in "Nagasaki Days" is the power of nature and its ability to heal and renew. Ginsberg describes the natural beauty of Nagasaki before the atomic bomb was dropped, emphasizing the contrast between the peaceful beauty of the landscape and the destruction wrought by the bomb. Despite the destruction caused by the bomb, Ginsberg suggests that nature has the power to heal and regenerate.
Symbolism
Ginsberg uses several powerful symbols in "Nagasaki Days," including the "black mushroom cloud" and the "broken city."
The "black mushroom cloud" is a symbol of the destructiveness of nuclear weapons. The image of the mushroom cloud rising above Nagasaki is a horrifying reminder of the power of the atomic bomb and its ability to destroy entire cities in seconds. The mushroom cloud is also a symbol of the darkness and despair that war brings.
The "broken city" is a symbol of the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. Ginsberg describes the ruins of Nagasaki as a "broken city," emphasizing the physical destruction caused by the bomb. The broken city is also a symbol of the emotional and psychological damage caused by war.
Literary Devices
Ginsberg uses several literary devices in "Nagasaki Days" to create a powerful and emotional poem.
One of the literary devices used by Ginsberg is imagery. He uses vivid and descriptive language to create images of the destruction caused by the bomb. For example, he describes "the twisted steel, smashed brick, and pulverized concrete" that litter the streets of Nagasaki, creating a powerful image of the destruction caused by the bomb.
Another literary device used by Ginsberg is repetition. He repeats phrases such as "broken city" and "black mushroom cloud," emphasizing the destructive power of the bomb and the devastation it caused.
Ginsberg also uses contrast in "Nagasaki Days" to emphasize the beauty and peace of Nagasaki before the bomb was dropped, and the destruction that followed. For example, he describes the "peaceful green hills" and the "tranquil waters" of Nagasaki before the bomb, emphasizing the contrast with the devastation that followed.
Conclusion
In "Nagasaki Days," Allen Ginsberg provides a powerful and emotional description of the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. The poem is a powerful statement against war and the use of nuclear weapons, and it serves as a reminder of the tremendous suffering inflicted on the people of Japan. Ginsberg's use of imagery, symbolism, and literary devices creates a powerful and emotional poem that remains relevant today. "Nagasaki Days" is a masterpiece of anti-war poetry, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of war and violence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Nagasaki Days: A Poem of Remembrance and Reflection
Allen Ginsberg, one of the most influential poets of the Beat Generation, wrote Nagasaki Days in 1953, eight years after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The poem is a powerful reflection on the devastating impact of the atomic bomb on the people of Nagasaki and the world at large. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and relevance today.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the aftermath of the bombing:
"Black charred bodies, burned out buildings, A child's melted sandal, a woman's hair Scorched into the wall, shadows of bodies Etched into stone, the smell of death Everywhere."
Ginsberg's use of imagery is striking and evocative, painting a picture of the horror and destruction that the bomb wrought on the city. The "black charred bodies" and "burned out buildings" suggest the extent of the damage, while the "child's melted sandal" and "woman's hair scorched into the wall" bring the tragedy down to a personal level. The "shadows of bodies etched into stone" are a haunting reminder of the human toll of the bombing, while the "smell of death everywhere" is a visceral and disturbing image that lingers in the mind.
The poem then shifts to a more reflective tone, as Ginsberg contemplates the implications of the bombing:
"What kind of world is this Where men can make such bombs And drop them on innocent people Without a second thought?"
This question is at the heart of the poem, and indeed, at the heart of the nuclear age. Ginsberg is asking us to consider the moral and ethical implications of the atomic bomb, and to question the values and priorities of a society that would create such a weapon. The phrase "without a second thought" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the decision to drop the bomb was made without due consideration for the human cost.
Ginsberg then turns his attention to the survivors of the bombing:
"And what of those who lived Through the blast and the fire Who saw their loved ones die And their city reduced to ash?"
Here, Ginsberg is acknowledging the resilience and strength of the survivors, who had to endure unimaginable suffering and loss. The use of the word "blast" and "fire" emphasizes the violence and chaos of the bombing, while the phrase "reduced to ash" suggests the complete destruction of the city. The survivors are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, and Ginsberg is asking us to consider the toll that this must have taken on them.
The poem then takes a more political turn, as Ginsberg critiques the government and military leaders who made the decision to drop the bomb:
"Those who gave the order To drop the bomb on Nagasaki Were they not also guilty Of a terrible crime against humanity?"
This is a powerful indictment of the decision-makers who authorized the bombing, and Ginsberg is suggesting that they should be held accountable for their actions. The phrase "terrible crime against humanity" is a strong condemnation of the bombing, and Ginsberg is making it clear that he believes that those responsible should be held responsible for their actions.
The poem then concludes with a call to action:
"We must remember Nagasaki And all the other cities That have been destroyed by war And work to create a world Where such horrors are never repeated."
This is a powerful and inspiring message, and it is one that is just as relevant today as it was when Ginsberg wrote the poem. The call to remember the victims of war and to work towards a more peaceful world is a timeless one, and it is one that we should all take to heart.
In conclusion, Nagasaki Days is a powerful and moving poem that reflects on the devastating impact of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki and the world at large. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Ginsberg forces us to confront the moral and ethical implications of the bombing, and to consider the toll that it took on the survivors. The poem is a call to action, urging us to remember the victims of war and to work towards a more peaceful world. It is a timeless message that we should all take to heart, and it is one that is just as relevant today as it was when Ginsberg wrote the poem.
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