Rosa de Hiroshima

The song 'Rosa de Hiroshima,' performed by Ney Matogrosso, is a poignant and evocative piece that delves into the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The lyrics are a metaphorical representation of the devastation caused by nuclear warfare, using the imagery of a rose—a symbol of beauty and life—to contrast the destruction and mutation inflicted by the bomb.

The opening lines urge the listener to consider the silent, telepathic children, the imprecise blind girls, and the altered, broken women. These lines evoke the innocent victims of the bombing, whose lives were irrevocably changed. The reference to 'telepathic' children could imply the unspoken, shared trauma among the survivors, while the 'blind girls' and 'altered women' symbolize the physical and psychological scars left by the explosion. The 'feridas como rosas cálidas' (wounds like warm roses) suggest the raw, painful injuries that bloom like roses, a stark contrast to the typically serene flower.

The chorus is a powerful reminder not to forget 'the rose of Hiroshima,' which is described as hereditary, radioactive, stupid, and invalid. This 'anti-rose' is stripped of its natural beauty and essence, becoming a symbol of the unnatural and horrific consequences of nuclear power. The repetition of 'sem' (without) emphasizes the loss of color, scent, and the very essence of the rose, mirroring the loss of humanity and life in the wake of the bomb. Ney Matogrosso's haunting delivery of the song amplifies its message, serving as a reminder of the fragility of life and the destructive potential of human inventions.