Canada But Not As We Know It

I’ve never given much thought, about the last train to Auschwitz for indeed every train, was intended to be ones last, Except for the guards, who sit atop the cattle cars As the human livestock, slowly asphyxiates behind bars not giving them a thought, or a care in the world except maybe, what great jobs we have Sit up here smoking, and joking, oblivious to the choking Just shoot anything that try’s get off, An absolute no brainer, For only those without brains, have no feelings or remorse This one and only requirement, fully endorsed Besides it keeps them away, from the Russian front they’ve heard all the stories, about that hell hole where they run over prisoners with tanks, No thanks Switch off out here, in the country air, as the wind rushes through, aryan sun bleached hair And the moans and groans continue, all very routine Stench rises and falls, in wafts and palls Quick Fritz look, Fräuleins in the fields wave and call Raising up rifles, greetings from SS railway division to all Cream of the crop, only room for special ones on top Full stop! Whistles shrill, RAUS! RAUS! SCHNELL! SCHNELL! Screams aloud, above the putrid smell as the chimneys belch ash, over an indifferent hell Bewildered cargo pours out Protestations, my baby, my mummy, my daddy, is dead The reply, a heavy truncheon blow, across the head Get into line, you dirty swine Selection process begins Whilst guards have a chat and a grin on the horizon a thunderous din Russians are closing in. Indeed this was the last train to Auschwitz and now it’s pulling out as the guards banter and shout Hey Fritz! where you going to spend, your bag of gold teeth Fritz says Bolivia, how about you? Franz laughs back, somewhere further, that doesn’t stink like your feet Meanwhile the zombies bedraggled clothes are already in transit to (CANADA) Not far from the crematoria Not that far away at all Last Train to Auschwitz Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Kai Michael Neumann 15/4/2021 (CANADA) = warehouse and sorting area in Auschwitz. German RAUS = out, SCHNELL = quick or fast