Never again. Nie wieder. Plus jamais.

A old man wanted to thank a American Soldier.

Never again. Nie wieder. Plus jamais.

(The old man spoke with tears.
Told me it must never happen again.
He  told me he watched his brothers and parent walk into death arms.
He could not do anything.)

I was sitting alone at the train station in Stuttgart in 1978.
 A old man sat at my table and offered his hand.


I took it and asked what does he want?

He told me. "On this day 33 years ago.
A American soldier broke down  the wall of  the concentration camp.
Picked him off the floor and held him. "


The soldier hand fed him because he was too weak to feed himself. 
The soldier took care of him for three months. 
He was very weak and never asked the soldier name.


He wanted to thank a American.
By  buying a American  Soldier a  meal today.

He showed me his mark.
A tattoo he held proudly.


Forced numbers put on  men and woman showing they were  Jews.


I told him. "Please sit with me.
I would be honor to eat with him."

I listen to stories of good times and bad.
Tears came to his old eyes when he told me.
How they separate him from his family at the train station.
He never saw them again.


His family made the mistake of hoping for common sense and sanity.

Most of his family went to Auschwitz.
He never saw them again.


He was lucky being strong and young.
He went to work camps in Germany.

He lived in Switzerland now.
He  learn to appreciate everyday being alive.
He whispered " I still don't understand the hate for us from the Germans."
 

I said very little.
I had great respect for this man.


 He taught me what we can endure to stay alive.

His last words stays with me.


 As he shook my hand.

 
His eyes filled with tears.


Told me.

"I  pray everyday this Never again happens again.
 Nie Wieder."

He left me sitting alone.
Thinking how hateful and cold this world can be.

                                      Coyote

                                     November 2008 

 

Author's Note

I was a 19 year Soldier in Germany.That day I knew I was taught all life is important.
Coyote

Reviews

[Dani The Unreviewed]

This one is very well written. I've learned about all this in history class. The jewish people were in an extremely dangerous, and cruel situation. The nazi government began with prosecuting them way before the second world war. They were sent to "work camps" I'd say the proper word does not exist to describe the inhuman treatment they were put through. They were forced to work till they died. Killed using gas, shot. There was a Hungarian poet, who was also jewish. He and a lot of others were taken from one camp to another, and finally they were forced to dig out their own mass grave, and then the soldiers shot them, straight in the grave. Nasty stuff. Anyway, I read his poems, all of them. I wish someone would have translated them, so i could show you. 100 points.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. World been at war for 10,000 years. The poem told of a man who survived hell and stay human.

[Dani The Unreviewed]

You are welcome.

[Red3Bravo]

A touching narrative, and an outstanding treatment of one of history's atrocities. I was stationed in Germany as well, and the goodwill from WW2 continues to flow, for the most part. I feel like the little errors distract the reader though. Things like using "a" where "an" should go or dropping -s or -d from the ends of certain words pulls the reader out of the moment, so that instead of marveling at the beauty of the story they are asking themselves "did I read that right?" Just my opinion, and I still think it's a very good poem.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the honest opinion. Does need a edit. I appreciate the comment.

[Roxie M]

This is fabulously, well done tribute to how most Americans behave, especially the Best Generation of the Twentieth century that includes my parents and grandparents. I very much appreciate your voice, in this, Poet, for several reasons, you true American. Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Roxie. I appreciate the kind words.

[annie lee]

Very moving and strong, a story that should never be forgotten indeed. You paint a vivid picture, evoking deep emotion.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Annie. I appreciate the comment.

[Jane Taylor Hardy]

A beautiful story unfolds in the lines of your eloquent poetry here Coyote....I loved it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jane. If we are lucky and listen to the people near. They can teach us old and new wisdom.

[Benson Osuji]

Very interesting I really loved it

[Coyote Poetry]

The truth is more scarier than fiction. Thank you for reading.

[Valentine]

MY mother's family was from Germany. Jewish people that all died there except one that escaped and made his way to France. Persecution on Jews started long before the war. We were told to tell the school our nationality was French. Became protestants, I did not know of the truth until I was much older. Trying to trace our family roots is impossible, I have tried, but come up empty handed. Please learn to live with all people of race , religion, or creed. Valentine

[Coyote Poetry]

They are Jewish organization can find your family. The Germans were very organized. Kept record. WW2 was just the beginning. Russian, Africa and part of Europe. The killing never stopped. Hold tight to your mother life and memory. She had a hard life.

[Willard Wells]

Coyote you are a true human that understands and feels the pulse of humanity. Thank you for sharing the beautifully sad story of an ugly time of our world history. Excellent work.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Willard. I appreciate the comment.

[jeannemarie coulter]

you were blessed indeed to have this experience and we are blesswed because you shared it with us...thank you...

[Coyote Poetry]

At the time. I didn't know the gift and honored offered. Later I wished I sat and talk with him more. Thank you for reading and the comment my friend.

[Terry O'Leary]

A poignant recollection...
You were 19 and moved... some of the soldiers at the 'camps' were 19...
Some things are incomprehensible...
Excellent poem!!!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. War is cold and heartless. Thank you Terry for reading and the comment.