Paul Callus Poet Senryu

Notes About The Poem

picture © http://pinterest.com

Lest We Forget

Kristallnacht 
the shards that pierced
humanity

crystal night
beneath the scars
shards forever prick

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 			
© 9th November, 2019

"Crystal Night" is the name that's been given to the night of 9-10 November 1938. In almost all large German cities and some smaller ones that night, store windows of Jewish shops were broken, Jewish houses and apartments were destroyed, and synagogues were demolished and set on fire. Many Jews were arrested, some were beaten, and some were even killed. 
[Info taken from the Institute for Historical Review]

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

1 2

Angela Crabtree November 17, 2020 at 1:47 PM I hate war. And the atrocities of that one especially. This is unrelated, but I think that we as Americans are trying to erase history and for me, I think that's a mistake. What's the saying? Those who forget are doomed to repeat it? A great poem, Paul. Hope you have a wonderful evening :) Paul Callus November 19, 2020 at 5:40 AM I agree...wars always leave a lot of suffering in their wake. And, yes, it is important to remember in order to avoid repeating mistakes. Rewriting History is like making fools of ourselves! ~ Regards // paul

Timothy Hicks May 4, 2020 at 3:10 AM I remember reading about this when I had to read The Hiding Place for school. It's a non-fictional account of a German watchmaker who hid Jews for many years ......a very dark moment in our history, for sure. "the shards that pierced humanity" ... such a sad image. Paul Callus May 4, 2020 at 1:56 PM Thank you once again for stopping by to read my poetry, Timothy. I'm keeping you busy :) Regards // paul

Edmund Strempfl January 1, 2020 at 6:46 PM Well written, short and pointy. This cracked crystal light is spreading in my sight Paul Callus January 3, 2020 at 8:34 AM Thank you, Edmund. Your feedback is appreciated. Regards // paul

Caren Krutsinger December 5, 2019 at 10:51 PM It is wise to keep this memory alive, so if things begin to turn, we will recognize it the next time. Hopefully it will NEVER happen again, but strange things are happening all of the time. Paul Callus December 9, 2019 at 9:38 AM So true, Caren; hate and war appear to be never ending, yet we must keep on working to nourish love and peace. Best regards // paul

W.A. Cholt December 3, 2019 at 4:47 PM Short and powerful. It's so important that people are reminded of this and other atrocities that have taken place in recent history. Paul Callus December 9, 2019 at 9:36 AM Thank you W.A. Sending you seasonal greetings // paul

Aqua Marine December 1, 2019 at 2:52 AM Two very thought provoking senryus, Paul - War is hateful- there is no true justice in innocent people being murdered for the sake of ideology. I have hated war since I was a small child. An interesting bit if history a reminder to us all to "keep the peace" wherever we are able to, and to respect the feelings of others with beliefs different to our own.Religion is responsible for the most horrific atrocities. Thank you for your well penned reminder- there is power in a few words! Warm Regards Paul Callus December 3, 2019 at 12:49 PM Thank you for the insightful comments, Aqua. What worries me a lot is that religion is used to justify what is wrong! Many mistakes have been made....when will we learn?!! ~ Warm regards // paul

Pashang Salehi November 27, 2019 at 3:16 PM All in the name of the divine... I do not understand... we are still seeing this in many different forms. Pashang Salehi December 2, 2019 at 11:27 AM We just need more love... Paul Callus November 29, 2019 at 3:36 PM True, Pashang, so hard to understand. Evil will always exist. Thank you for commenting. Regards // paul

Freddie Robinson Jr. November 26, 2019 at 8:35 AM Power to truth poetry, Paul! Ty for the historical lesson ... lest we forget and repeat past atrocities. Love and best wishes for the holidays. Paul Callus November 26, 2019 at 12:33 PM Thank you for you insightful comments, Freddie. Best wishes to you, too! Regards // paul

Brenda Chiri November 26, 2019 at 12:09 AM Paul i always enjoy reading your work!;) Paul Callus November 26, 2019 at 7:11 AM Thank you for your friendship and support, Brenda; much appreciated. Regards // paul

Sara Kendrick November 25, 2019 at 3:17 PM Sad that someone decides that a people should be destroyed. There are misguided souls in this world. I hope that history doesn't repeat itself. Your work was of interest. Thanks for your visit to my page. Sara Paul Callus November 25, 2019 at 4:33 PM Thank you for your insightful comments, Sara. Best regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich November 23, 2019 at 7:25 PM wow, another amazing haiku set here, Paul. You are great with short forms. Keep up the good work. I think this day was the beginning of the end for the poor jews back in those horrible years of Germany. Paul Callus November 24, 2019 at 5:47 AM Yes, it was the beginning of the end. Thank you for your complimentary remarks, Andrea; much appreciated. Hope you're enjoying the weekend. Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux November 23, 2019 at 9:25 AM Thanks for adding the historical context. This piece vibrates with empathy. Paul Callus November 23, 2019 at 10:10 AM Thank you, Richard. In this case it was important to give some added information. Regards // paul

Sunlite Wanter November 20, 2019 at 2:21 PM i have read books describing krstal nacht, and I can't imagine what the people went through!!! We shouldn't forget about it. Congratulations o you Lifetime membership. Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 3:05 PM Thank you Sunlite. History, when passed on faithfully, is something to learn from. Our world and its people need to bathe in 'light'; there has already been so much suffering! Regards // paul

Maurice Rigoler November 19, 2019 at 11:44 AM The incomprehensible fact to this horrible night is that the Germans who took part in it were mostly "christian" churchgoers! What were they learning there, if anything! / M Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 3:00 PM Politics is a blinding factor, Maurice, while many follow their leaders like lost sheep! Pity we do not learn enough from past mistakes. Regards // paul

Johnson Vdev November 19, 2019 at 9:50 AM Six short lines that told us the whole history. Painful. It looks more painful as we forget it and this poem can be written over and over just changing context of happenings in some parts of the world today as well... Thanks a lot for sharing this. It's epic. Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 2:57 PM You are right, JV. History repeats itself. Thank you for stopping by, yet again; your support is appreciated. Regards // paul

Suzanne Delaney November 19, 2019 at 8:48 AM I always wondered how such a pretty name was associated to such horrific acts. Well written, Paul. Congratulations on being featured by email. SuZ Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 2:55 PM I too had been impressed by Kristallnacht / Crystal Night, until I read all about it and understood what it stands for. Thank you for visiting, Suzanne! Hope you are keeping well, my friend. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs // paul

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri November 19, 2019 at 4:40 AM Is it like the holocaust? An awesome moving poem you wrote on the atrocity, it pierces the heart with your strong poetic hard hitting metaphor. Kudos. Pls pleez do comment on my newest poem too Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 2:50 PM Thank you for reading and commenting, Zayneb. I have already read your delightful poem, and penned my views. Regards // paul

Carla Ingram November 18, 2019 at 9:50 PM Thank you for sharing this write and explaining/ I hate that happen Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 2:47 PM Thank you for stopping by, Carla. We writers can combat such things with our pens. Regards // paul

Joseph Adler November 18, 2019 at 7:17 PM Thank you for this poem Paul. My mother lived in Berlin and awoke on the morning after Kristallnacht. Her neighbors were well aware of the action, and warned her to stay in that night. Just in case one wonders if this was just perpetrated by only Nazi's, it wasn't. It was the same bigotry that exists today in this country that encouraged what were one's neighbors to commit the destruction. She was 13 years old. She survived the Holocaust, is still alive. A warning to us all. Thanks again. Paul Callus November 22, 2019 at 2:45 PM Thank you for this personal informative contribution to my poem, Joseph. Bigotry and crimes on humanity will never cease; it's our duty to to draw attention to them and condemn them. Regards // paul

Mystic Rose Rose November 12, 2019 at 4:47 PM How sad to read about such atrocity , years may come and go still we remember how awful they were treated for sake o religion. A wonderful write Paul, hope all is well, Thank you for stopping by, its always nice to hear from you. Paul Callus November 15, 2019 at 4:09 PM Thank you for a pleasant visit, Vienna; you're always welcome (I do keep the kettle on just in case...:) :) Goditi il fine settimana. Ciao. /x/ paul

Judy Ball November 12, 2019 at 3:05 PM Horrible. How blessed we are that we were not subjected to that but there are many today whose families lived through that horror. I was one of the people who were blessed to meet in person Corrie Ten Boom when she visited our church in The Northwest Territories here in Canada. A wonderful lady who told of the horror she and her family lived through. Some of her family actually died in that. God Bless my friend. JB Paul Callus November 15, 2019 at 4:05 PM Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing your own personal experience, Judy. Indeed, those were horrible times! Best regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos November 12, 2019 at 12:56 PM What a terrifying night this must have been for the Jewish people, a sign of things to come as the Nazis were preparing Germany for WW11 and the Jewish holocaust- Kristallnacht - Night of Crystal - referring to a night of torching synagogues and shattering windows in Jewish shops, homes and schools killing at least 100 Jewish people -such an excellent write Paul and I'm certain it will come first in the contest and a best contender for POTD. Warm regards and hugs, Jenny. Paul Callus November 15, 2019 at 2:31 PM You are right, Jenny; it must have been terrible, and what was to follow was even worse! Crimes against humanity can never be erased....never to be forgotten. Thank you for your faith in this double senryu. ~ Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Elaine Perrin November 12, 2019 at 3:55 AM Beautifully written Paul x Paul Callus November 12, 2019 at 5:45 PM Thank you, Elaine. Regards // paul

Brenda Chiri November 11, 2019 at 4:54 PM Beautiful Paul!;) Paul Callus November 12, 2019 at 5:23 PM Thank you, Brenda. Warm regards // paul

Eve Roper November 11, 2019 at 12:17 PM Perfect Senryus , Paul, and history of it all. Hugs Paul Callus November 12, 2019 at 5:19 PM Thank you, Eve. Hugs // paul

1 2