Gert W. Knop Poet Tanka

Helga Deen ,1925-1943

Helga Deen  (1925-1943)   (Sentanka)

Mit achtzehn ermordet
Helga Deen im KZ Sobibór
Nur Tagebuch und Briefe

War alles was von ihr blieb
Ihr Andenken aber bleibt 


Murdered at eighteen
Helga Deen at Sobibór 
Only letters and diary

Was all that remained of her
But her memory remains


Helga Deen en Sobibor
Asesinado a dieciocho años
Sólo cartas y un diario

Fue todo lo que quedaba 
Pero su memoria sigue siendo



Note: Helga Deen, born in 1925 in Stettin moved with her parents in 1933 to Tilburg in the
Netherlands. She was a talented young woman not only in writing but also in drawing. Her
mother was a German Jewish doctor and her father-Willy Deen- a Dutch chemist. Helga Denn
had a brother -Klaus- and both visited school in Tilburg. The family had to move from
their house and Helga an her brother had to leave school together with other ten Jewish
pupils. In July 1943 all were deported to the Vugh concentration camp. From there they
were transpoted to Westerbork concentration camp and from there on July 13th  to Sobibór
(Poland) concentration camp. She died from gas there on July 16th 1943.

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Jack Horne May 20, 2011 at 1:38 PM I wanted to read this one again - I think it was the first of your poems that I read and I was very moved - it still moves me as much. Excellent tribute to Helga and all the other victims. We have a lot of forged £20 notes at the moment - buses and some shops won't take £20 notes in case they are counterfeit. Yes, I believe there is a lot of evidence that governments choose to keep from the public. After all, there are so many stories of crashed UFOs, and even dead aliens. Have a great weekend

James Foulk April 19, 2011 at 3:53 PM what a waste of human life those concentration camps were. the world was kept in darkness for long time or they refused to believe that something that awlful could happen, you wrote a very sad piece, but thank you for letting us know about such a precious life she had . she died same year i was born. in fact i was born July 7 of 1943.

Andrea Dietrich March 16, 2011 at 6:30 AM Thanks for the info. Then she was not the one I saw a movie about. There were many heros from that period of time!!

Jack Horne March 15, 2011 at 8:48 AM What a sad but lovely poem, Gert. Such a tragic loss of life. Did Helga's parents and Klaus survive or were they, too, gassed? I love the way you write your poems in 3 languages. We've been to Munich and also (several times) to the Rhine Valley - Rudesheim, Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, St Goar etc. My wife and I love Germany. Thanks for your kind comments : ) Jack

Gwendolen Song March 14, 2011 at 5:33 PM Horrible ending to a beautiful life, Gert. Helga and those who suffered unjustifiably are mounted up like eagles close to our Lord and Savior. Requiem. Gwendolen

Poet Destroyer A March 12, 2011 at 8:15 PM sad,, and very interesting Gert,, thanks for sharing,,poet..D

Andrea Dietrich March 12, 2011 at 4:16 PM Was there a movie made of her? I may have seen it!! Was she Christian as well as Jewish on her mom's side/ the woman the movie was about was christian. A nice one!

Kabuteng P.Ink K. March 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM Thank you for this informative and very touching tribute to this talented woman-- I never knew of her before-- I always learn something new from you, thank you :) take care :)

Carolyn Devonshire March 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM So sad but a beautiful tribute to Helga Deen's memory, Gert. I hate thinking of all the people who lost their lives in the concentration camps. Helga reminds me of Anne Frank. So sorry your are still suffering from your injuries, Gert. I'll pray your recovery speeds up. Much love, Carolyn

Daver Austin March 12, 2011 at 10:05 AM Tragic. Did I tell you about Simon Goldberg? A Jew - Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic? He saved his life by writing out the score to the Beethoven Violin Concerto from memory, then performing it with inmates. The Colonel, camp commander, was a music lover. Helga was not so fortuante. Tragic. Love, Dave

Linda-Marie Sweetheart March 12, 2011 at 6:23 AM Oh Gert what a tragedy befell this lovely girl so young and her family.. your words express the heartache and horrific plight she endured .. always amazed at the information u provide and the lovely way u present and share with us all my friend..luv..

Audrey Haick March 10, 2011 at 12:13 PM Gert,well written verse giving tribute due to a young one who lost her life in an awful way, however, her legacy, her words remain forever. Thanks for sharing as always. Always, Annalise