The poem is dedicated to the children who died in the atom bomb attack at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II.

Song of Hiroshima

I come and stand at every door,

But none can hear my silent tread.

I knock and yet remain unseen,

For I am dead, for I am dead.

I am only seven and though I died,

In Hiroshima long ago.

I am seven now as I was then,

When children die, they do not grow.

My hair was scorched by swirling flames,

My eyes grew dim, my eyes grew blind.

Death came and turned my bones to dust,

And that was scattered by the wind.

I need no fruit, I need no rice

I need no sweets, nor even bread.

I ask for nothing for myself,

For I am dead, for I am dead.

All that I ask is that for peace,

You fight today, you fight today

So that the children of this world

May live and grow and laugh and play.