Holocaust Found Poem

it’s hard to talk about that

I was Jewish

and that was okay

it wasn’t an issue

it was a shock

if you can understand that

we had to leave

slowly but surely

he said “go”

not forced –

by choice

she said “no,

they stay”

we were afraid

left and right –

they found us

they tried

to get rid of us

it wasn’t unusual

– I escaped that

little incident

being Jewish was familiar

but Jewish presence

was a shock

I listened

morning, noon, and night

rifle down?

not by a long shot

you’re crazy –

just like that.

Self-Worth

the edges are rugged, clearly from use

and perhaps some neglect hidden in there too

the chapters are worn, damaged, stained

from experience, from life, and from just a bit of rain

left outside, withered, torn to pieces

by onlookers, bystanders, and just little children

some yellowing, some age – it all seems the same

flipped upside down, turned around

into a violent rage

it still wouldn’t cause a second glance

no one would care

or even notice

until the sound of ripping

tearing

torturing

reverberated

because then it’s not the same

it’s not rugged

or used

or neglected or stained

it’s destroyed

and we’re all to blame.

My Angel

your voice resonated in a song
every time you spoke
the words chimed together
creating an atmosphere
some can only imagine experiencing

your rosy cheeks and broad grin
brightened the room
even on the darkest days
and we all wish
we could see it right now

photographs don't capture
your essence
enough to make it okay
but your impact on me
is one more powerful than most

I can remember your smile
your numerous fragrances that
wafted through the room.
I can remember the anecdotes
and the incessant laughter that filled the room
whenever you were there

you made everything better
and nothing will ever be the same
but I know you're out there. I know you're
not gone. Because you can't be.
Because wonderful things don't leave.

you will never be gone
because the Irises bloom every spring
and your pictures will sway in the cross breeze
and you changed my life
and believed in me.

You're my angel.
like the glass trinkets
throughout your house.
The ones I always wished
to play with.

You're the angel I'll hold near
forever
because your smile
will forever brighten my heart.

No Looking Back

sometimes I stand by
watching, staring, gazing
wondering if you ever notice
the pain in my eyes

passing by me
you look straight through
as if all I am
is a web of lies

the screams within
go unspoken
the words I speak
go unnoticed

the falling rain
envelopes me
drowning me
trying to make me forget

taking it all away
the pain and the glares
the screams and the stares
and me

Always

Sometimes I sit beside a piece of glass

as the wooden planks cross my face

gazing out to those that cannot sense

the shards that burrow beneath my flesh.

Sometimes I wonder who is staring back

questioning the things they might not see

never knowing if I’m really there

or just dissolving off in the distance.

Sometimes I sit there on my own

buried beneath the words and leaves

wondering when my chance will come

to escape the pressure upon my spine

Sometimes I wonder who can see

the pain that’s living deep within me

the weight intensifies throughout my core

as I hold my breath and wait to be alone again

Gone

they're gone
every last one of them

all because I said
"leave me alone"

but now it's lonely
and the birds are chirping

mocking me
because at least they have friends

they left me behind
without knowing why

as if they thrive on my sadness
and wanted me to contemplate those heights

the silence creeps over my skin
stabbing into my veins

I wait for everything to stop
I wait for the buzzing to go numb

I waited
in the loud silence