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.

[Hayley]

This is amazing. History comes alive in your poetry and through the wisdom you have gained. Thanks for the great read!! Excellent work!

[Priyanka Natesh]

Sir, I am moved to tears with every poem I read of yours. You carry so much emotion and so many experiences that seem to radiate in your poetry. I am very much moved by this excellent piece. Thank you.

[Kesav Easwaran]

It is high time the world recognizes humanity and pay respect...a moving write that carries a noble message within

[Bridget Murphy]

This is a beautiful poem, I loved it through and through, a soldiers way is the hardest to follow.

[Mary Fioratti]

Your heart poured in this poem, with a powerful intensity. I can imagine how many things your learned, and how many things you have today in front of your eyes, memories that never will be forgotten.
And the biggest lesson: "all life is important!".
*Mary*

[Ramblings of a Mediocre..]

I loved it. When you write with passion, everyone else who reads it would feel it too. :)

[emmajoy]

This is one of WC's finest posts, John. You write with both heart and mind, emotionally but without melodrama, sincerity yet simplicity, telling the true story of a man who'd been through hell. Tis so sad.

Few years back i visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, saw the most tragic and terrible things; saw grown men cry as they walked around, saw women near fainting. I'll never forget that visit .. or your poem.

Thank you for reminding us.

[HorrorMaster]

Very good poem

[Amber "Victoriomantic" ..]

Wow, this poem, like all your others, is a masterpiece from the heart. Your words ring with a certain resonance that only true stories can produce. As always, this poem is thought-provoking and allows us to see into your memories. You have been through much in your life, thank you for sharing it with us. The atrocities of WWII will always be remembered, and I can only imagine the extent to which the disasters you have been through have affected you; but then, maybe I can do more than imagine, as you share it all here with us.

[Kamran]

Only your writing style could have brought this poem so beautifully to life. THe Holocaust was a horrible time, and to see a man so strong grow out of it is truly a miracle. It must have been very difficult to experience such a time, especially seeing the tragedy unfold in person. This poem I believe not only honors yourself for your courageous work, but honors all others who passed on for their courageous strength. Absolutely wonderful.