The Nuclear Button Poem by Denis Martindale

Inside the base hid underground,
The little button stayed
Until the man was duty bound,
Commands to be obeyed...
Then suddenly the button pressed
And then all Hell broke loose,
While he threw up, poor chap, distressed,
God knows, that's not good news...

The Doctor came to treat the man,
To calm his heart rate down,
He said, 'There, there...' while tests he ran
And eased the poor chap's frown...
'You did your duty! Take this pill,
It takes away your pain...
You won't be feeling quite so ill,
With no need to complain..'

The man returned to where he'd left
And felt a sense of doom
And suddenly he felt bereft,
Condemned and full of gloom...
The button that he pressed was there
With someone at its side,
Removing it with solemn care,
With tears he couldn't hide...

'It's going to the President...
As proof of what was done...
As proof it was no accident...
But how this war was won! '
The man was very slow to speak,
'I pressed that button, friend! '
'No wonder that you look so weak...
Your country to defend...'

He got a medal, yes, indeed...
It's in a drawer upstairs...
That's where he says his holy creed
And where he says his prayers...
That's where he tries to sleep each night,
In silence all alone...
Until he asks, 'Did I do right? '
And yet the answer's known...