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Open Poetry #49
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Auschwitz Birkenau
| Open Poetry #49 |
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Auschwitz Birkenau |
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Cari Member Posts 411 Englnand |
Old man, why do you live in yesterday? Raking the leaves of bitter winters Picking over the strands of recollection Travelling the road of used to be Two, six, four, one, nine three ~ Scavenger in the fields of memory A nomad on the plains of time Through fading eyes you strive to see Those rusting rails to eternity Two, six, four, one, nine three ~ Bury the bones, interne the past Let me take your hand Just two short steps to tomorrow This is no place for you and me Two, six, four, one, nine three * * * |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
quote: Because, Cari, there are some "yesterday" which deserve happy moments within ourselves, so are the unhappy memories, and that ignoring either would be a big, big mistake. I am also of the opinion that Auschwitz Birkenau is one of those dark places which should never, ever be forgotten. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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XGarapanX Senior Member
since 2008-06-19
Posts 1435Antarctica |
I appreciate the sentiments here if I'm perceiving them correctly. It's not about humanity forgetting the tragedy, it's about the old man unburdening himself from underneath it and rediscovering life beyond it. Also wondering if the numbers are the serial numbers of a former victim you might know, or if they have some other meaning. I can't sort that part out because numbers and I don't agree. Good writing and enjoyed the story. ·´~`·»Garapan«·´~`· |
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Cari Member Posts 411 Englnand |
No poet could add much in the way with the disgust and horror of the holocaust. The images themselves are so graphic that they are burnt into our minds. So if you attempt to write on the subject, you are looking for angles. This poem attempts to deal with the crippling damage done to the mind of the old man. He survived but in truth he never left the camps. The number stencilled on his arm is there should he ever feel the need for a reminder. I found it hard to adjust to everyday life and a 9 to 5 job after returning from two years in Africa. The contrast of an eight year little old girl walking three miles to a water hole twice a day for a bowl of water that I wouldn’t touch, playing mother to her four old brother, compared with a twenty something throwing a tearful wobbly over a broken cell phone left me thinking what the hell am I doing here. I left after three weeks. If you multiplied the old man’s need for adjustment after the horrors of the extermination camps by a thousand times to my experience then in a very remote way both of us can understand, hence the angle for the poem. Thanks for reading. Cari. [This message has been edited by Cari (03-19-2016 09:55 AM).] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
"He survived but in truth he never left the camps.." Exactly.....my reason for writing this poem. /pip/Forum2/HTML/001342.html Excellent work, Cari. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Cari, thanks for clearing up the origin of the numbers. I know how those horrifying memories must be burnt into the minds of many that survived. I understand the poem is searching for some type of relief for those scarred minds and that will never be a bad thing. Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Michael, I went to the link and read the poem. It held me riveted to the page. Thank you for that. Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, Eric, |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
fine writing...suffering is hard to overcome...james |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
TREBLINKA by Michael Mack Unforgetable all must read. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
TREBLINKA by Michael Mack a must read. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Cari, beautiful sentiments.Jo perry |
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