i dream of fukushima
where when the poison spewed forth
love and duty awoke
like late-season blossoms
on the rim of a sulphur spring

i dream of fukushima
where aged bodies lined up at the altar
to work the meltdown
to absorb the heat
to save the young

“our cells divide more slowly”
they saw, the strength in their weakness

“our generation built it”
they saw, the responsibility in short hours

“we are not a suicide corps”
they saw, the glow in their fading

i dream of fukushima
where the ripe leap from the tree
and return to the earth
to lighten the branch
for the buds

i reach for the fruit of fukushima

or at least for their phone number

 because if they are giving away sacrifice
all free like that
maybe one of them can
die in my stead
instead