Rosa de Hiroshima

Vinicius de Moraes' song 'Rosa de Hiroshima' is a poignant and evocative piece that delves into the devastating aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. The lyrics are a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, particularly the innocent lives affected by such catastrophic events. The song opens with a plea to think of the children, who are described as 'mudas, telepáticas' (mute, telepathic), and the girls, 'cegas inexatas' (blind, imprecise), highlighting the innocence and vulnerability of the youngest victims of the bombing.

The song then shifts focus to women, whose lives have been irrevocably altered ('rotas alteradas') and the wounds ('feridas') that are likened to 'rosas cálidas' (warm roses). This metaphor of wounds as roses is both beautiful and tragic, suggesting that even in their suffering, there is a poignant beauty. However, the central image of the song is the 'rosa de Hiroshima' (the rose of Hiroshima), which is described as 'hereditária' (hereditary), 'radioativa' (radioactive), and 'estúpida e inválida' (stupid and invalid). This rose is a symbol of the lasting and generational impact of the atomic bomb, a legacy of suffering and destruction that continues to affect the descendants of those who survived the initial blast.

The 'rosa de Hiroshima' is further described with terms like 'cirrose' (cirrhosis) and 'anti-rosa atômica' (anti-atomic rose), emphasizing the physical and environmental damage caused by radiation. The final lines, 'sem cor sem perfume / sem rosa, sem nada' (without color, without perfume / without rose, without anything), underscore the complete annihilation and loss of beauty, life, and hope. Through this haunting imagery, Vinicius de Moraes not only commemorates the victims of Hiroshima but also issues a stark warning about the horrors of nuclear warfare and its enduring consequences.