Skeletal frames
whose beaten hearts
once bore,
the heft of Hitler's war,
...
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Well, one of several comments from me showed up 'so far'. : ) I plan to put this poem into my 'Bri's August 2023 Poems-I've-Enjoyed-Recently-On-Poemhunter Showcase', found in-progress in my list of poems. : ) bri
(cont.) THE QUESTION: What circumstances allowed Hitler to rise to power, and, with his 'associates', to carry out his/their chosen actions? bri : ) five stars
WHAT, I wonder, IS 'sable ash'? ? And I wonder: What prompts the poet's interest in this poem's subject, AND how does she respond to the following question: (cont.)
Sable ash is the black ash that remains when something is burned. : -)
I like the Poet's Note and the alliteration heft/Hitler's. Re: Rachel: This refers to a Bible story: '[Herod] sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. '
Bravi! You've hit the nail on the head. Thanks for all your posts. So sorry this has taken so long.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (released as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in North America) , and Shindler's List. I read that Hitler dislike Jews, feeling they kept him out of art school.
'Kristallnacht, the night of November 9-10,1938, when German Nazis attacked Jewish persons and property. The name refers ironically to the litter of broken glass left in the streets after these pogroms. After Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime made Jewish survival in Germany impossible.'
This hearwrenching poem deserves to be POD several times over. Whenever I read of these atrocities, I think of my father who was part of the French Resistance. Every day, he put his life on the line. As was, and did, John Paul II.
Richard, thank you for your kind words. I'm so sorry to hear your father had to endure through such a painful time in history. It's unbelievable to think how anyone could have survived such horror. Take care of yourself and thank again for your reply. : -)
Thank you Richard. You probably, more than others, can relate to this poem since your father was in the Resistance. There were many who put their lives on the line. It's unfortunate that some will never be recognized as they were killed.
'If tears were oceans, mine have formed them all.These are the most painful and powerful lines that were ever written for pain, and the horror and injustice of the Holocaust. And the greatest poem I have ever read on this Horror.
Sandra, I appreciate all of your comments. I was unable to reply, but I believe I responded on one of your poetry pages. I'm elated to know my words have reflected my innermost thoughts on that most horrific subject.
A heartrending story of man inhumanity to man, powerfully and movingly penned. A very tragic and compelling reflection on the Holocaust.
Yes, Chinedu Dike, that time in history was one of the worst. I only hope history will not repeat itself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. : -)
Tamara, this is an amazingly impressive poem! As one who has seen the films the Pianist and all the Anne Frank films and Schindler's List and The Book Thief and is looking forward to the release of the film a Hidden Life, your poem touched me to the core. Please continue writing!
Thank you, Practicing Poetess. My commenting link was down for a while. Yes, I also read 'The Book Thief' and about 100 other books on the Holocaust. I appreciate your input.
The last two lines of you poem were wonderfully and I suppose, so sadly written. Very moving remembrance poem of that earlier time. I just read a bio. of Oskar Shindler and although his immoral lifestyle conflicts greatly with my moral beliefs, his actions in saving a number of Jews was remarkable.
Yes, Dave, Shindler did save many Jewish people, but so did Christians such as Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy from the Netherlands. Thanks for your reply. Sorry mine took so long.
Thank you for your reply. I was unable to comment for quite some time. I appreciate your effort and agree with you. Shindler did save many and was honored accordingly. : -)
Thanks David. Sorry it took so long. I missed a few of these. I appreciate your effort. : -)
Cruelties of men will never be forgotten. It will be written again and again as a reminder for all hoping that such heinous crimes.will not be repeated. A vivid depiction of the holocaust, war and death. A powerful write well conveyed.
Thank you kindly, Rose. I certainly appreciate your input and thanks for posting. : -)
A reality excellently presented with poetic intensity. It questions silence of those who could have spoken but were did not. Beautiful, well thought out poem. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Chima. I'm elated you received the images I attempted to convey in the poem. Thanks for reading and commenting. : -)
The Holocaust One of man's greatest crimes together with the American Indian Genocide and the Spanish-American Indian massacres by the Spaniards, and lets include the Spanish Inquisition too. I'm sure I may be missing many others. For which, I beg your pardon. However, All shamefully, disgraceful!
Beautiful poem. Kindly read my poem " The streets are red"
Thank you Kingsley. I will, but something is wrong with my edit and reply.
If I may, you can add my tears to yours. This poem describes the tragedy so well, so completely, so painfully that it becomes alive and tears our heart out. An unforgettable and very realistic presentation of a horror that should never have happened but did, and could even happen again. And we call ourselves, human? Your poem is superbly, unforgettable. Thank you for writing it with all your heart. So very few cared.or care.
Tamara, I've FINALLY managed to put your poem's title, your name, and some NOTES about you and your poem into my August 2023 Showcase of 6 poems I recently enjoyed on PH. thanks.
Thank you, Bri. I've been sick for quite a while, so haven't commented. I appreciate your input. : -)