Andrei Sakharov was born poor in Soviet Russia.
His father, a physics professor, taught him. In Stalin’s
Time, bleak, he continued in theoretical physics, ushered
From the university to war work making munitions.
He finished his doctorate as World War II was ending,
And Russia was clamouring to make nuclear weapons, themselves.
He joined that research endeavour, certain that mending
Relations and peace would result from sharing “the bomb,”
Convinced it would lead to peace and prosperity. Then Hell’s
Politicians and nations began actively testing them. Fallout
And the effects of radioactivity chilled, in hindsight,
His heart. He began to write, to oppose, to protest, to shout
Against testing. For bans. For peaceful uses and for “human rights.”
He was targeted, exiled, disgraced, wire-tapped, banned and committed.*
June Edvenson 