Silver Strands

Silver Strands

Platinum it was, not a hint of gold
Silver tiara was grandma’s crown
Brushed over her head, to a bun rolled
She always refused to wear it down

It shone in the sun silvery bright
Her bun boasted a badge of honor
Holocaust survivor fled at night
Now in the free world as a senior

Nazi tattoos, numbers on her arm
Smallpox  scars were evident too
But they never filled her with alarm
A lucky lass, she had made it through

A dark-haired teen had boarded a boat
Marrying a man she met at sea
Just their clothes, nothing else to tote
Seeking the Statue of Liberty

Each silver strand was born of worry
For family in Poland left behind
Her escape had been made in a hurry
In a brave quest for freedom to find


*Written for Susan and Andrea’s “Silver Strands” contest and inspired by my maternal grandmother’s escape to freedom

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 12/13/2011 6:22:00 PM
Enjoyed reading your poem, Carolyn. Congrats on your win. Kim
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Date: 12/13/2011 6:16:00 AM
Congratulations on your win, Carolyn in Susan's and Andrea's contest, " Silver Strands ". You have told a beautiful story. It's the sad story of survival and hope of your grandmother, " Her escape in a brave quest for freedom to find. Thank your for your kind comments." I wish you Happy Holidays and hope that you are doing fine. Hugs, Andrew.
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Date: 12/12/2011 3:42:00 PM
congrats on your 1st place carolyn, a very interesting and personal take on the contest :-)
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Date: 12/12/2011 8:18:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Susan's "Silver Strands" contest Carolyn. Love, Carol
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Date: 12/12/2011 7:15:00 AM
Congratulations on a perfect win. A most impressive write. Facinating story to honor such a person as she.
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Date: 12/12/2011 5:39:00 AM
I new this would be a big winner! Congrad's Light & Love
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Date: 12/11/2011 8:20:00 PM
Congratulations a worthy winner x
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Date: 12/11/2011 4:26:00 PM
Congratulations on this inspiring poem about your grandmother, Carolyn. What a woman!!
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Date: 12/11/2011 3:57:00 PM
What a wonderful, beautiful tribute to a beloved lady. This one brought tears to my eyes Carolyn, and is so deserving of your number one win. I am saving this one in my favorite poems file. Thank you for moving me so. Congratulations to a lovely descendant of this heroic lady. Your poetic story is told so wonderfully.
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Date: 12/11/2011 2:53:00 PM
Your grandmother is my hero! I have goosebumps just thinking of all she endured. Her silver strands are magnificent. I would have loved to meet her..wow. Love, Gwendolen
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Date: 12/11/2011 2:48:00 PM
Very nice Carolyn. Congratulations to both you and your grandmother.
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Date: 12/11/2011 2:25:00 PM
Wonderful story, Carolyn. I applaud its win. Love, Joyce
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Date: 12/11/2011 1:36:00 PM
Carolyn congrats on your win, brilliant poem..David
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Date: 12/11/2011 10:28:00 AM
Wowza Carolyn-This is genius! A big congrats. to you :)
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Date: 12/11/2011 10:27:00 AM
An amazing story you have penned here Carolyn.Congrats on your 1st place win.
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Date: 12/9/2011 2:46:00 PM
What an amazing lady your granmother was, Carolyn. A beautiful tribute to her
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Date: 12/2/2011 4:34:00 PM
Enjoyed reading your family history work..Reads like winning material to me..So many wonderful people suffered at the hands of the enemy malnourishment, brutal treatment, seeing family members die, and so many died..She must have been a very strong person...Sara
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Date: 12/2/2011 3:56:00 PM
Great narrative poem, Carolyn. As a musician I used to know Jews, fellow musicians, who had escaped the holocaust. Love, daver
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Date: 12/2/2011 11:21:00 AM
one of the lucky few. let us never forget. excellent write
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Date: 12/2/2011 9:01:00 AM
Wow, Carolyn, what a wonderful triumph to overcome such a horrific threat, and to think this was your grandmother! Her story, like others that are similar, are proof of the human spirit. What a wealth of history you share. No wonder you hold the power of poetry, with such inspiration.
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Date: 12/2/2011 8:50:00 AM
A true story of worth, Carolyn, enhanced by your own awesome talent, this is a wonderful tribute to your grandmother, just as it was poems fascinate me especially from this era. harry
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Date: 12/2/2011 7:13:00 AM
What a story! Great work.
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Date: 12/2/2011 6:52:00 AM
Carolyn very nicely written, she was one of the few lucky one's then, good luck..David
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Date: 12/2/2011 3:23:00 AM
Wow, Carolyn. This is an amazing poem and an even more amazing family history. I am so glad she made it to freedom...or we would have never met! I love you, my friend. This one is definitly a winner in my view.
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Date: 12/2/2011 12:20:00 AM
Carolyn i obviosley had no idea.. a strong person then.. did she give you any input as you grew up? and pleased i looked you up.!
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