Snow fell on the grittiness of the camps.
Relentless snow.
Curtains of crystals
Which in other times
Brought comfort and joy,
But not here.
Snow fell on the water frozen in the pothole puddles.
Men and women
Fatigued by relentless life
Barely noticed cold on cold.
A pureness in the grey
Of evil.
Snow fell on fingers turned blue with cold.
Frost infiltrated skin
Thinned by months of relentless hardship.
Chills slithered snakelike
Through xylophone ribs
Numbing feeling.
Snow falls.
Rain freezes.
Life moves on.
Camps in other countries.
Hunger in other bellies.
Heads turned in other directions.
Evil endures.
A response to a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Just trying to make sense of it.
Today joining with Poetry Pantry at Poets United. I do get cheerful sometimes!
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.co.uk
oy. intense....i went to the holocaust museum here in the states...it still sticks with me...the images, the smells...the reality so dark and bleak....ugh...the things we do to each other....
ReplyDeleteSo true Brian, so often with a religious connection too. When will we learn?
DeletePea
There is no sense in it...I have been to the museum here ... everyone should.. it will leave you with a feelings that I can't properly describe...but you did in this poem...
ReplyDeleteRobert, thanks for your words. I am so surprised when people don't have a clue what happened, and yet there are people who have no idea. Amazing.
DeleteTake care
Pea
movies like band of brother or the boy in striped pajamas or the pianist always get me... it's hard when you think what if it was you.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, movies have a role to play, but they can't begin to show what went on. Too terrible for us to comtemplate on the silver screen. Although having seen all of the dramas you mention and thinking of the Pianist in particular, they are a reminder. Have you read "the reader"?
DeleteYou have captured the grayness and coldness of it so well. I do a lot of wrapping my head around the Holocaust, too. Well written, and good for you for visiting and bearing witness to what they endured.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry, I have spent quite a bit of life in the climate of the camps. I know that I would have lost the will to live very quickly based only on the climate and in the horrors and I don't think i would have lasted long at all.
DeleteThis is extremely intense.. the cold on cold theme is fascinating.. and strong. How you move to the conclusion that new camps are being built resonates deeply with me.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that we tolerate these things.
DeleteCheers Björn
You have captured the essence of evil here. Evil does have a way of enduring. Visiting the holocaust museum would definitely cause one to realize how pervasive evil CAN be.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, I have a theory that more women need to step up to the plate.
DeleteVery powerful poem. Excellent and true.
ReplyDeleteSabra thanks. It's a tough subject.
Deleteexcellent. you really brought it to life.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was attempting to write a hymn, but it didn't turn out like that.
Deleteintense poem.
ReplyDeletethe refrain "snow fell on.. " brings out the cold and fear of those suffering in the camps.
Oh, I'm so glad you got that.
DeleteCiao
Pea
So sad and yet it happens today amid the "normal" population.
ReplyDeleteI know Gail, it's so hard to believe
Deletesuch vivid description and great imagery....
ReplyDeleteThank you Sumana
Deleteheavy piece, but handled deftly
ReplyDeleteThank you I appreciate you saying so.
DeleteI'm glad you can creatively deal with what has to be a soul-wrenching experience. To imagine all they dealt with and to add the snow...it just...it's hard to describe the feeling though you managed to convey it so well.
ReplyDeleteI thought snow would give some extra bleakness, just in case you needed it.
DeleteYou know Loredana, it was more haunting than I thought.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteCheers I appreciate your comments.
DeleteI think you did capture a hymnal quality for sure. Sober and solemn, clearly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack, I appreciate you saying so.
DeleteA stark and yet hope filled piece..that no matter we should indeed fight for life even if 'we' barely feel we exist..someone will be thankful and it will make a difference in time to come..
ReplyDeleteJae Rose, you are right, I suppose we should always try and live.
DeleteSuch a powerful write, gritty and dark. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteKathryn, thank you very much for your kind comments on this. I was trying to get the effect you talk of. Cheers
DeletePea
A powerful write indeed. There is no sense in mans inhumanity to his fellow man - but trying to make sense of it proves humanity is ever present.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful New Year.
Anna :o]
Thanks Anna
DeleteMaybe humanity w will eventually win out.
Take care
Pea
This is profound.... and I can sense how the effect from this visit shook your core.....
ReplyDeleteApril,
DeleteThank you, it affected me more than I thought it would.
Take care
Pea