When the Atomic ash Blows Away, The Wild Flowers Grow Stronger
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The Secret of the Poppy Flower One day as I was running to the garden, I tripped. I tried to grab the weeds. I saw something – very unusual! It looked like a little flower bud, but it was still in its tiny soft bud, shyly hiding herself as if the large weed soldiers were protecting her! She looked like a princess! My heart was pounding. She was ready to open at any moment. I said to myself, “this is my top secret and no one can share this with me!” I patted my chest in happiness and walked away from the spot. I went to see the flower bud every day after discovering her. One Sunday morning, I could not wait to see my poppy flower. Had it opened or not? I ran from my house as fast as I could to the schoolyard. My instinct was right! The poppy flower had opened! Her face was up and showing off her beauty! My heart started to pound as I tiptoed like a cat to get a closer look. Suddenly, a long arm stretched over my shoulder, and I held my breath and froze. What had I done? I had no choice but to turn around slowly. As I turned, I was facing my favorite teacher, my Art teacher! He was standing with a big smile. He stretched his arm further and snapped the poppy flower from its stalk so innocently, and he handed it to me with a large smile. I was already edged in backward. The next morning, I dragged myself to school, afraid that my name would be posted as a bad mannered student, but there was no such sight or my Art teacher present at school. A week later, I learned that he had been drafted into the War. That Sunday had been his last day at school, and he spent the day alone painting the poppy flower, which had just opened. I realized that my Art teacher and I were sharing the joy of watching the poppy flower open. It was so long ago, Things were so innocent and fragile, Depending on the uncertainty of tomorrow In War time
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About the Book
There are many books that involve WWII, but few books convey the war through the eyes of a child. Young Namie experiences the changes that war brings such as losing her favorite teacher, moving to a new place, and watching the horrors of the atomic bomb over Nagasaki. Throughout the hardship of war, Namie was still able to find the simple pleasures of life by looking at the innocent flowers that still bloom in Japan today.
About the Author
Author Namie Wren, an American citizen born in Japan grew up at the time of World- War II as it was ending in chaos. She was 8-10 years old which she believes is the magical age. She studied at college Japanese literature poetry, ancient Art forms, and Koto music,and studied the cello in the US. Learning and the process is her strong point of view toward Life. After she married her husband (a naval architect ) of 41 years they bore 2 sons, and she continued to educate herself taught by her husband who wanted to contribute his value to the world, but unfortunately he had to leave this life to the next. “We cooked and laughed together” the author says. Below the photo is their grand- daughter, Maggie, lovingly taken by her grand-father at Waveland Park L.F. She will soon reach the magical age----and will treasure their memories into her tender heart and continue to grow and blossom into her beautiful life. To publish this book has come in many meanings, most of all, the author wants to tribute this book to her husband in memory.