Artists' Centre, Tom [summer books .txt] 📗

keys.

Brought at last to Dachau,
because we were twins
because our hair was red,
because we were "untermenschen"
because we were Jews;
we piqued the Nazi curiosity
we made amusing subjects
for the doctors' experiments.


***

I am Nathan.
I was here,
stacked like cordwood
waiting for fire.

My life was dirt
beneath the Nazi boots.
Fire transformed the last of sinew and skin
to ashes.
The grinding wheel of years made me dust.

Dust, with all the others.

I am Nathan,
I am here.
I am dust.
Dust on your shoes you will carry away;
dust you breathe
-even as you try to hold your breath
my dust with the dust of millions coats your lungs,
seeps in your veins
without remedy.

I will be here
-always.
I will be with you
-always.


Imprint

Publication Date: 11-02-2009

All Rights Reserved