I have been there but I've never been there

I've been there

Hiroshima

It's a beautiful, modern city

large wonderful gardens

stunning buildings

I've been there

Auschwitz

my namesake died there

It's in a lovely part of Poland

I've been to Maczkowce in Ukraine

or what once went by that name

now a huge field of wheat

once my father's birthplace and home

I've been to Glencoe

its dark, brooding mood

and it's bright, greenfilled moors and hills

I've been to Mostar

crossed the old bridge

a few years before it was blown up

I've been around the block

and back

We've been around the block

and back

The old Taoist punchline goes

"Who knows what's good or bad in this world?"

I'm only alive because Hitler and Stalin

made a deal to carve up Poland.

Good for me but not for their victims.

Still the Taoists are correct.

We can't know the unintended consequences of events.

All we can do is think clearly and try our best.

When you look at Hiroshima today

you see what can grow out of ashes and burnt flesh.