This sad and beautiful poem was written by Karl Seidman on January 26, 1997. It is his first poem on my website. - poetheart 07/26/01
Last night I lay awake.
A train passed on tracks seldom used
Like the last train from Westerbork
That took you away.
But you left your story
A gift, like a young girl's kiss.
Diesen kuss der ganzen welt. (Let this kiss be for the whole world)We didn't listen -- didn't want to hear
The Fuhrer who was there, not here.
We were free and didn't want to know.
O freunde, nicht diese tone. (Oh friends, not these sounds)Then it was almost too late to stop him.
It was too late -- for you.
What Hell you lived,
And died one month before
We could have rescued you,
One of the six million.
Seid unschlungen, Millionen. (O you millions,let me embrace you)But you left a gift so we might learn
to be worthy, sweet angel.
Alle menchen verden bruder, (all men shall be brothers,
Wo dein sanfter flugel weilt. wherever your gentle wings tarry)by Karl Seidman