Holocaust

by

 Sue Challand

Once there was a room

that rang with laughter.

Dancing bears and circus fun

in Old Berlin,

and Anna, pretty. Wide eyed,

darting like a butterfly

through her childhood years.

Then a prison camp

Anna orphaned

lying on a broken bed.

Afraid to sleep,

Afraid of noises in the night,

terrified of the sound

of heavy boots

reverberating on the

concrete floors.

Next a hospital

a pleasant dayroom

with soft green walls.

White coated doctors

murmuring reassurance.

And Anna mute

crouched in a corner.

A dimpled cheeked nurse

stroked Anna’s hair,

coaxed her to eat,

lulled her to sleep.

Then the park

on a sunny afternoon.

A multi coloured kite,

technicolour bright.

Small fingers fasten

tightly round the strings.

The kite soars high

into the air, 

Anna laughs

cries, “Freedom!”

 © Copyright Sue Challand 2006