the bomb does not explode. there,
only aftermath is real like amputations
thoughts are cutting through my flesh
from years ago. when that marine
i went to high school with told us
of his tumor, the surgery he
couldn't pay for. the nuclear facility
he was stationed by. his bunk-mates,
their brains cut also, angry now
and as he loudly spoke beneath
his bandaged head we nodded, cut his
story out as perhaps true, not worth
looking into