# THE ATOM AND THE SOVEREIGN STATE

By Bernard L. Welland

The Atom and the Sovereign State
Were walking hand in hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such thickly settled land;
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "It would be grand."

"If seven planes with seven bombs
Swept it for half a year
Do you suppose", the Atom said
"That we could get it clear?"
"Let's try it" said the Sovereign State,
"Whom do we have to fear?"

"Oh Homo, come and play with us"
The Atom did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Forget Bikini Beach;
We cannot do with more than two,
(To give a bomb to each)".

And two young Homos hurried up
Both eager for the treat;
Their coats were torn, their faces worn,
Their shoes were far from neat -
And this was so, because, you know
They'd been close to defeat.

Four other Homos followed them
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last
And more, and more, and more -
All marching through their cities vast,
They poured from every door.

The Atom and the Sovereign State
Talked on, both con and pro,
And then they shouted loude and long,
"You dirty so-and-so;"
While all the little Homos stood
And trembled in a row.

"The time has passed," the Atom said
"To talk of all these things:
Of blocs - world states - and Union now
Of dictators - and kings -
And why the peace was never kept -
And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit", the Homos cried,
Before we have a war:
For some of us are quite fatigued
From two we had before",
"So sorry," said the Sovereign State,
"But you've become a bore."

"A load of bombs", the Atom said,
"Is what we chiefly need;
Some poison gas and germs besides
Are very good indeed -
Now, if you're ready, Homos dear,
The mop-up will proceed."

"It seems a shame", the Atom said,
"To play them such a trick,
After they made me what I am
And made me kinda quick!"
The Sovereign State said nothing but
"Just drop another 'Stick'."

"I weep for them", the Atom said:
"I deeply sympathise".
With sobs and tears he atomized
Homos of every size,
Holding his pocket handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

"Oh Homo," cried the Sovereign State,
"You've had a pleasant run!"
Shall we begin from scratch again?"
But answer came there none -
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd killed off every one.