Out of Ashes

do not go to Lidice

unless your heart is strong

else it will break in pieces

for standing taller than in life

varying in size, build and height

eighty two children cast in bronze

a monument to defy what took place

a village emptied in its entirety 

razed to the ground in reprisal

should you dare look further

into those haunted innocent faces 

you will see, confusion, misery

no teddy bear comfort there

little hands clutch elder siblings

in bewildered despair

do not go to Lidice

unless your heart is strong

do not go there

Reviews

[Lorry]

Had to look up the name and came across a page with such impact for its brevity, just like you have done here.
It said they tried to wipe it out of existence and failed, asit has been fully restored as a memorial and that many places across the globe now share its name in a show of unity.
A beautiful gesture that defies the hatred once visited upon them.
I think I'll give it a miss Chris, but beautifully penned.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Lorry. Pleased you looked it up and know the full story of what took place there. It's important we don't forget what happened. The least I could do was write a poem.

Chris

[...]

I was born at Czech republic and Lidice was school trip what happen every year . That time i don't think too much about that place. Just like symbol of horrible event. At my country village Lidice is quiet still strong symbol of all victims of WW2. There is also another village with name Lezaky which had same fate . Like little boy i always wonder why this evil things happening. Well we still have horrible events at central Africa or middle east. It's all happen and we are helpless when we learn about it. Your lines are simple with clear message. By the way landscape around the Lidice is quiet beautiful with deep woodlands .

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for choosing to comment on this poem. I came across the story of Lidice, by chance. The larger than life size monument of the children who perished moved me incredibly. Thank you so much for giving me some more history. It is also helpful to know that the landscape where these atrocities took place is quiet, beautiful and wooded.

Chris

[...]

I think whatever humans do . Nature is always beautiful and full of mystery. I wish if people will be like nature calm and free.

[...]

I think whatever humans do . Nature is always beautiful and full of mystery. I wish if people will be like nature calm and free.

[John the Baptist]

Reinhard "The Hangman" Heydrich was also known as "The Butcher of Prague." When the Czech resistance assassinated him in May of 1942,in that city, the Nazis carried out a massacre at Lidice, a nearby village, in reprisal. As the poem notes, they also razed the place. This work really communicates the effect that visiting the site can have. Though he died in pain, Heydrich was lucky in one sense, for he surely would have been hanged at Nuremberg.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John, and you know the history well. Please accept my apologies for my slow response to thank you for your review. He was fortunate to escape the hangman's noose. A butcher in every sense of the word. We have to remember these people and what they were capable of.

Chris

[Earl Schumacker]

Hi Christine, Thanks for the geography and history lesson. You very convincingly taught me not to go to Lidice. Trust me. I am not going to Lidice. Very nice poem. Nicely crafted. I have never owned a teddy bear but I get the picture. I'm sure there is more comfort to be found in a stuffed animal toy than in a war. Have a wonderful day. Earl

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit and review Earl. Most appreciated. Sending my best wishes to you.

Chris

[Carola]

i wasn't aware of the fullness of the Lidice story, i knew of heidrich being killed & some reprisals but not the full extent. how horrible ! thanks for making me aware.

yet no matter how horrible the event, human beings continue to succumb to their evil emotions & do hatred killings, be it during war or in civilian cities in all countries around the world.

countries are good at erecting memorials, but not good at learning lessons from it as it continues to happen over the centuries.

it starts off with bullying, a hateful personal character flaw.... in school, facebook, at work, etc.

it's almost like we need to have permanent & compulsory anger management classes in all schools for all kids, & for all adults via community associations & in the workplace around the whole world.
my opinion, for what it's worth.
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right carola, we do not learn the lessons. This is a very sad piece of history. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[LJ]

Such strong imagery! I think you show this subject well, and make our hearts quail while reading it. Your description, simple and elegant, paints a picture I won't soon forget. This is poetry that really opens hearts and tests their strength. It's very good and I'm glad you shared it. If there was one thing I'd change, it's just to add a hyphen between "eighty" and "two" so the number is clear. It's up to you, of course. I see nothing else I'd change. Your work here is powerful and dynamic. Thanks for this poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your thoughtful review LJ. I appreciate your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

I am sure I would not want to go there. I know the story of Lidice....all the men were killed and all the children sent away. The entire village fell victim to the Third Reich. A dark spot in the history of the world for sure. Your words are powerful, Chris. Lydi*

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi*. Yes the children were sent to concentration camps and were killed there. Many of the women also died there. The men were shot in the village. A horrible piece of history, and it still goes on in parts of the world today. It never ceases to amaze me how cruel we are as a species. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Christy the Poetic Hear..]

I have not look up the name yet but I already have a taste of what is it about. The description wore a sinister yet touching tone that is easy for us to grasp. Nice writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lovely poet for your response. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Ayesha]

The world has seen endless massacre such as this. And each time we see or hear about them, we are haunted with insecurity. Human life has become inexpensive. They are only remembered in memorials.
You never fail to evoke emotions. I love to read your works.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ayesha, thank you for your thoughts and kindness. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Papaya]

Chris, this is beautifully penned, so haunting.

[Chris Shaw]

Tragic situation Ana. We need to remember how awful our species can be. Thank you.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I guess raping women, slaughtering them and children absolutely makes some feel so dominant...
Really proves manhood...for sure...
and the concentration camps...no conscience...all who partook, should have been murdered in the same fashion...
smoked in the same ovens they used.
powerful write, Chris.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. Hard to believe what our species is capable of. Important though we don:t forget.read moreThank you Jacob. Hard to believe what our species is capable of. Important though we don:t forget.

Chris