Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Poetry Thursday 135 - Doomsday Clock

 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists changed its format from a newsletter to a magazine. Its first cover features a clock, both conceptualized and designed by artist Martyl Langsdorf. The Clock’s hands move based upon whether events push humanity closer to or further from nuclear apocalypse. The Clock later includes dangers posed by climate change and other existential threats. 


Doomsday Clock 

It's Ticking

 

Turned on in 47.

an indicator pointing at heaven,

the method as yet unidentified,

of how the world will be transmogrified.

 

53 - first turn of the spring by hydrogen,

to return Earth to molten origin,

  63 - Cuban crisis intensifies the race,

Test Ban treaty slows the pace.

12 minutes

 

72 – Russia and USA sign SALT,

 if anyone shoots it will be their fault,

80 – SALT fails, more states connect,

resources and crises collect.

7 minutes

 

81 – Russia invades Afghanistan,

Reagan refuses to be anchorman,

84 – communications cease,

US want a space system centrepiece,

3 minutes

 

90 – actions make peace more certain,

down comes the Iron Curtain,

Cold War finally over,

Does it mean we’re all in clover.

17 minutes

95 – only five years and a close call,

Russia no lambs replacing USSR’s fall,

Failure to control nuclear a shame,

India and Pakistan joins the game.

9 minutes

 

02 – terrorists stir the worries pot,

new weapons give even more a shot,

07 – N Korea on the rise,

conducts nuclear tests – no surprise.

5 minutes

 

10 – climate change joins the equation,

main actors want further action,

pointing towards no nuclear bombs,

the climate leading modern psalms.

6 minutes

 

15 – no new forwards steps,

some denying of climate concepts,

leading to more significant threats,

pointing disaster at all our doorsteps.

3 minutes

 

18 – social media is in the frame,

communication available to every name,

introduces an instrument to everyone,

leadership pressure can be built upon.

2 minutes

 

20 – humanity faces nuclear war and climate change,

information wars affect the range,

national relations is becoming more aggressive,

self-aggrandisement of leaders increasingly obsessive.

85 seconds – 2026

©David L Atkinson March 2026 


God Bless 




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Poetry Thursday 135 - Doomsday Clock

 The  Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists  changed its format from a newsletter to a magazine. Its first cover features a clock, both conceptu...