Black Smoke

This was inspired about the Holocaust. There's no further explanation needed.

Black Smoke

 

Life,

One word,

So powerful,

So unobtainable.

 

Smoke curls,

Fear sweeps through tender hearts,

Fear of the unknown.

 

Malach ha-mavis,

Angel of Death.

With black wings,

He waits for those who bear the star.

 

Names burned,

Numbers etched,

Heads shaved,

Food retched.

 

Tears, pain, death.

Blank eyes,

Midnight sobs.

 

Showers without water,

Body without breath.

The prisoners wait for slow, hard death.

 

Families broken,

Homes pillaged.

 

Murder,

Deceit,

Soldiers stand ready.

 

Is there hope?

 

Life.

Life is hope.

 

I will live,

Says desperate lips to enclosing nights.

 

 

Those who fight,

Those who remember,

They reach evermore for hope,

For life.

 

Life,

One word,

So powerful,

Obtainable for those who reach for hope.

 

 

 

This poem is dedicated to the six million innocent people who died during the Holocaust. Their stories and spirits live on in us. Remember them, and they will live on. Never forget.

 

Reviews

[JudyC]

Very powerful and moving. Intense images and unrelenting flow draw the reader in. I particularly like "He waits for those who bear the star." You provide just enough information so that the reader can gradually figure out on his own that the subject matter is the Holocaust. It brings to mind many photographic images from history texts. Excellent.

[sorentense]

Incredible, a very beautiful and sorrowful representation of the Holocaust. What language is Malach ha-mavis? I love the part about showers without water, body without breath. Great flow, fantastic word choice, and you almost made me cry.

[M. Elizabeth Archer]

Incredible. I nearly teared up...

It is important to remember the past, and I hope this tribute is appreciated. Your words were vivid and... powerful.

[Syke]

Very great poem, but just to be nitpicky, there were 6 million Jewish victims, but the total was between 9 and 11 million victims. But it's really a great poem, it's abrupt without being too short and it gets a lot of use out of each and every word.

[Hope]

Powerful
Realistic
True
Moving
Reflective
Reveals the past
Gets the message across