Kyoto spared the bomb because

Of a second honeymoon trip

For Stimson, who crossed it off the list.

Kyoto, first, became last

Spared, protected, never bombed.

Off the list

Of nuclear targets

That much is fact.

No fire fall.

No mushroom cloud.

No blazing firestorm.

No human ashes

Falling from the sky

Kyoto because

Of graceful hidden gardens

Like the painter who stepped

Into his painting,

Only in reverse.

Kyoto because once

Imperial capital, capital

of culture it remains,

Home to a million souls.

Kyoto because

Of Sakura blossoms

On the banks

Of river Kamo.

Silver and golden temples

And endless Shinto gates – mirrored frames

On the path to the top of the mountain.

Kyoto because

Our son settled and married our daughter-in-law there

Kyoto because

In Kyoto, on a hot summer’s day

Our granddaughter was born.