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In nineteen forty four on the third of September
Is a date in my mind that I'll always remember
It was the date of the last train to Auschwitz in Poland
From Westerbork transit camp in the Nederland.

The camp police and soldiers began kicking in doors
People were just getting up and doing daily chores
They ordered people to pack one bag, for a long journey
And told them they were being moved to a camp of luxury.

They escorted them to waiting boxcars and ordered them inside
The soldiers used brute force and many children cried
People were jostled and dogs were used too
The people were powerless, there was little they could do.

The space inside was limited and everyone had to stand
And the journey would take, three long days overland
They crammed about eighty people into each boxcar
Then slid the doors shut and locked them with a bar.

There was a slight chug and the train whistle blew
And set out for a destination, to where nobody knew
The air inside the boxcars was putrid and stale
I feared old folk wouldn't make it because they were so frail.

I looked around the boxcar at families, stood huddled together
That look of fear etched in their faces, forget I will never
The train stopped a few times for the train to refuel
A man said they'll bring us food, I thought don't be a fool.

The boxcar floor was covered, with a coating of lime
And those who were barefooted cried all the time
A few standing in the boxcar were looking straight ahead
People next to them said they were cold, and I knew they were dead.

The heat in the day was stifling and the nights were so cold
I thought the world wouldn't believe it if this story was ever told
A few were writing notes for those left behind
In the faint hope that one day, somebody would find.

From the gaps in the boxcar I knew it was day
Everyone was oblivious to what up ahead lay
The whistle blew twice and the train it slowed down
Through a crack I noticed a building, was it a town ?.

I could hear loud German voices and dogs were barking
The train ground to a halt and I could hear boxcar doors opening
Our door was slid open and we were blinded by the light
Guards with dogs were everywhere, a terrifying sight.
 
They got us all off the train and told us to form a line
An officer said " you have to be registered, everything will be fine"
We had to give our names and were told to go left or right
Some families were separated, it was a harrowing sight.

Everything going on around me was like a nightmarish dream
In the distance I heard the train whistle and and a faint hiss of steam
Then a loud chug chug sound as it faded away
I realised hope had abandoned me and all I could do was pray.


Written 10th April 2021

Last Train to Auschwitz Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Kai Michael Neumann.
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