Playing with Power - a Rhyming Rant on the Nuclear Plant

"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.
If we continue to develop our technology
without wisdom or prudence,
our servant may prove to be our executioner."
U.S. Army General Omar Nelson Bradley
(1893 - 1981)

The closest call I ever knew
Occurred one day, out of the blue.
The power plant had sprung a leak,
And local tensions reached their peak.

As teens at school, without a hint,
We listened to the President.
"Evacuate!" the teachers cried,
While hapless students ran outside.

We hunkered down, within the dorm,
And questioned the all-points alarm.
Until a shadow filled my door;
It was my uncle, six-foot-four.

"Go get your coat," he said with glee.
"C'mon, let's go! You come with me.
Your parents called from out of state:
'Don't let our daughter radiate!'"

He loaded me into a car,
Then raced from campus, not too far.
We hit the runway, climbed aboard.
I held my breath; the engine roared.

His little plane bounced back and forth.
My stomach flipped from south to north.
My uncle-pilot mocked my pain
Before he swerved and dipped the plane.

A fiendish look then crossed his face.
"Hey, want a close look at the place?"
He chuckled, brought the craft around,
And we began descending down.

The power plant came into sight.
I felt the plane veer to the right.
And then began a fearful hour,
A-circling the cooling tower.

He dipped one wing into the cone,
Thus penetrating no-fly zone.
The tiny engines churned and boiled,
As all my nerves grew taut, recoiled.

"Now, wasn't that atomic fun?"
My pilot taunted, when 'twas done.
And finally, away we flew.
My folks would freak, if just they knew!

For those who should protect us best
May be no different from the rest:
Thrill seekers or by profit bent,
From family to government.

The power plant was soon retooled;
Surrounding counties were refueled.
Our daring feat turned out okay,
No ill effects to bear today . . .

. . . at least, that's what the experts say!