I Come and Stand at Every Door

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'm only seven, although I died

In Hiroshima long ago.

I'm seven now, as I was then -

When children die, they do not grow.

My hair was scorched by swirling flame;

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, or 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!