Escape to myself

It’s difficult to know what to say about this without being trite. Today I took a walk to the Peace Memorial Park which is where the bomb was detonated about 600m above the area which completely devastated an ancient part of the city. The dome was one of few buildings to survive the blast and while the others have been removed the city decided to leave this building as a constant reminder of the obliteration of the city and massive loss of life.

The Park is rather beautiful and is situated between two rivers. Dotted with memorials it is a poignant but peaceful place. The Peace bell is rung by visitors and its sonorous sound echoes through the park.

The park is beautifully designed and there is a Peace Flame which burns constantly … an ever present reminder of our desire for peace and humanities seeming inability to achieve it. It was significant to be here today, the 7th October.

Having contemplated the park and its tranquility I visited the museum. Beautifully curated it was a sombre place where the many visitors observed the harrowing displays in complete silence. It pulled no punches; the photographs were graphic, the exhibits a reminder of individual lives. The art created by survivors was vivid and startling. It was enlightening to see the biographies of individuals and the impact of the aftermath over many years. I could get political but it seems inappropriate. One telling exhibit was a small tricycle owned by a child who perished with her family.

A sombre but necessary day which will remain with me.

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”

Aldous Huxley