Tom Cunningham Poet Narrative

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     Not all Germans supported Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party and many were sent to concentration camps or executed. Sophie Scholl was 21 years old when she was executed by the Nazis

Now 78 years after her death she is revered as a true hero who made a brave stand against Adolf Hitler and the twisted ideology of The Third Reich and many streets in Germany bear the name Sophie in her memory.

 

Sophie

Sophie Scholl was raised a Christian in a Lutheran family
Born in the town of Forchtenberg in south west Germany
For standing defiant against evil with her young life she'd pay
In a country that was in deep turmoil and had lost its way.

She was a young teenager in nineteen thirty three
When a new leader offering hope, emerged in Germany
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian, who came to power
And for many it was the start of their darkest hour.

To unite the German people the Nazis held rallies
In some of the larger towns and all the big cities
But something dark and sinister was taking place
The evil Nazis were plotting to create a master race.

All the youth were encouraged to join an organisation
Hitler youth they were known all over the nation
Sophie and her brother together, with some of their friends
Turned their backs on the movement and vowed to make amends.

Word was getting around about death camps and persecution
Together they decided to form, a small non violent organisation
Known as the 'White Rose' who urged the people to renounce Hitler
They handed out leaflets telling the truth, about the Nazis slaughter.

One day at Munich University where Sophie studied as a student
She was seen distributing leaflets on what  Nazi ideology meant
A janitor intervened and confronted her, and wouldn't let her go
She was arrested and then handed over to the notorious Gestapo.

They interrogated her to find out, who her accomplices were
But she wouldn't give them their names, as they tortured her
They charged her with high treason and sentenced her to death
To die by the guillotine and the date of execution was set.

They executed twenty one year old Sophie for making a stand
And they had accused her of being a traitor, to the fatherland
They eventually captured the others, five of them in all
And they too walked to their deaths standing proud and tall.

It’s people like Sophie who want to make the world a better place
And not supporting some twisted ideology like a master race
The Nazis were eventually defeated and their leaders tried
But not before Sophie and millions of other innocents had died.




Written 15th May 2021.

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Valsa George March 27, 2022 at 8:14 PM This story of Sophie has brought goosebumps all over me. What a brave attitude she had, undaunted even in the face of death ! This story is so touchingly and movingly told, Tom ! Long live her memory ! Tom Cunningham March 28, 2022 at 12:40 AM Thank you very much Valsa, she was a brave remarkable lady, standing up to Hitler and his twisted ideologies, sadly paying with her life, the world needs more people like her calling out wrongdoings of any kind. Tom

Sara Kendrick June 9, 2021 at 6:32 PM Congrats on this great poem that tells this story about Sophie who stood up for right and was rewarded at the time by death. So many people died that were totally innocent during that time and only a few stood up. Sara Tom Cunningham June 10, 2021 at 8:13 AM Thank you very much Sara, I was amazed at how brave she was. All those Germans who stood against Hitler were either executed or sent to death camps. Tom

Susan Ashley June 5, 2021 at 6:42 PM Dear Tom, your poem is a stunning tribute to Sophie. Her courage and strength is beautifully recognized in your amazing verse. You are a masterful storyteller in rhythm and rhymes and this was a story so worth telling. A deep and moving piece, your heart shines, my dear friend. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Tom Cunningham June 6, 2021 at 12:38 AM Thank you very much Susan, its a shame her story isnt so well known outside Germany where she's now regarded as a hero, I hope my poem goes some way in conveying her strong belief and bravery to a wider audience. I hope you too have a lovely weekend. Tom

Robert Lindley June 1, 2021 at 5:12 PM This is truly a great tribute poem and a masterpiece my friend. Your poetry always gives us so very much. In its beauty, depths, messages and truly artistic renderings. This victim of that evil regime stands as a true heroine! A fav..- a shining gem too. God bless... Tom Cunningham June 2, 2021 at 2:13 AM Thank you very much Robert, it's so true that she's a true heroine, it took real strength to stand up against what the Nazis stood for and shes recognised all over Germany for making a stand, thanks too for faving it. I hope you are well. Tom

Ann Peck June 1, 2021 at 9:08 AM Tom, what a wonderful poem memorializing a true hero! We need heroes like Sophie in every country! Also,many of us didn't know about the "Paperclip Program" where we brought those very Nazis to America so we could also have their scientists. Google has photos. I believe it came to about 1,000, many of whom were given jobs in the space program. (Not a conspiracy theory, just a coverup.) Tom Cunningham June 1, 2021 at 1:32 PM Thank you very much Ann, I had heard about those scientists being given sanctuary in exchange for their know how, but better the US had them and not the Russians, but sad that any links to the Nazis were brushed under the carpet. Tom

Lisa Brown May 31, 2021 at 1:29 AM Congratulations on your win!! Well deserved! You are a very talented poet :-) Tom Cunningham May 31, 2021 at 1:33 AM Thank you very much for your return visit and congrats Lisa, very much appreciated. Have a great week. Tom

Unseeking Seeker May 30, 2021 at 11:04 PM Thanks for sharing, Tom. Didn’t know this. A beautiful tribute to Sophie and the undying light of Gods love within us all. Congrats on your win! Tom Cunningham May 31, 2021 at 1:16 AM Thank you very much US, a tragic story its a shame many others didnt rise up with her but then many were in fear of their lives with the Nazis in power. Tom

Alexis Y. May 30, 2021 at 5:31 PM Hi Tom, I’m just coming back to congratulate you on a well-deserved win. Have a wonderful day, my friend:-) Alexis Tom Cunningham May 31, 2021 at 1:14 AM Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Alexis, much appreciated, have a great week. Tom

Sotto Poet May 30, 2021 at 4:17 PM Back to tell you congratulations on your well-deserved win for this great poem about Sophie, the girl who stood bravely before the nazi. Blessings and best regards. Tom Cunningham May 30, 2021 at 5:07 PM Thank you very much for your return visit and congrats Lasaad, Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Tom

Sam Kauffman May 30, 2021 at 2:28 PM Tom, congratulations on your win. The wisdom of Sophia, in Sophie's name, shines through the master storyteller's verses of courage. Sophie was a martyr for truth and human dignity. I often wonder if I would have such courage. Thank you for telling her story! Over Fork Over. Tom Cunningham May 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM Thank you very much Sam, Its something a lot of us would think, would we have that courage, Sophie and her friends probably knew what would happen if they were caught. She is a true heroine, after reading about her I was determined to honour her with a poem. Over Fork Over. Hope you've had a lovely weekend. Tom

Quoth Theraven May 26, 2021 at 9:56 PM Tom, Fine depiction of events unheard of until just now. A sad ending in a time of turmoil and nations at war. Maybe this is the real story and origin of Sophie's Choice. -Richard Quoth Theraven May 28, 2021 at 7:20 PM Tom, I've never seen Sophie's Choice (except for a few clipped scenes). Strange name for a fictional account wouldn't you say? -R Tom Cunningham May 27, 2021 at 2:22 AM The only reference to Sophie's Choice is to that movie starring Meryl Streep where a nazi officer told her to choose between her two children. A harrowing scene. Tom Cunningham May 27, 2021 at 1:56 AM Thank you very much Richard, she's not so well known outside Germany so I hope that I've managed to tell others of her story, I couldn't find a poem about her although books have been written. I wonder if that is the origin Sophie's Choice ill look it up. Hope you're well. Tom

Judy Ball May 26, 2021 at 11:27 AM WoW! More of us should be known about this brave intelligent girl and what she and her friends stood bravely before the Nazi party to fight for. What a wonderful tribute to her and her friends. Bravo. God Bless, JB Tom Cunningham May 26, 2021 at 11:47 AM Thank you very much Judy, I only found her story recently and wanted to honour her with a poem. Its a shame many more didn't revolt against the tyrant but the Nazis ruled with an iron fist and anyway opposing them were crushed, in occupied countries whole villages would be destroyed in reprisals. Tom

Lisa Brown May 24, 2021 at 9:32 AM What a brave young girl. It was so sad reading this but well done, it's interesting. There is a lot I don't know about WW2. RIP Sophie. Tom Cunningham May 24, 2021 at 9:54 AM Thank you very much Lisa, a brave young lady who stood up to Hitler and paid with her life. Tom

Virginia Gelok May 23, 2021 at 6:51 PM This was so very interesting. I've heard so many of these terrible stories. I believe they truly happen as told. But I was surprised to hear Hitler was Austrian. I assume German from Austria? I was drawn to this verse because I have a granddaughter named Sophie. Thankyou for keeping this Sophie's memory alive. Tom Cunningham May 24, 2021 at 12:59 AM Thank you very much Virginia, im pleased that you enjoyed it. He was about 11 years old when he moved to Germany with his parents and spent the rest of his life there. Sophie is well known in Germany and I wanted to honour her with a poem, she is a great example to us all and that you should always stand up against injustice and evil. Tom

Gary Radice May 22, 2021 at 9:01 AM You've opened my eyes Tom to something (The White Rose) and someone in history that I wasn't aware of. Great write. Cheers - Gary Tom Cunningham May 22, 2021 at 9:16 AM Thank you very much Gary, I'd only heard of her and the white rose recently, such a brave young woman she was, the world needs more like her. Tom

Eve Roper May 21, 2021 at 11:08 AM A wonderful tribute, Tom. Hitler was a very evil man. Great write. Hugs Eve Tom Cunningham May 21, 2021 at 11:28 AM Thank you very much Eve, without doubt one of the most twisted and evil men in history. Tom.

Connie Marcum Wong May 20, 2021 at 10:09 AM This is such a beautiful tribute to a brave soul who tried to make a difference along with her companions, dying for their cause. Her last words could not have been more moving Tom. You have captured the spirit of her bravery and honor in your poem honoring her righteous contribution and sacrifice. Her legacy of freedom lives on through your poem honoring her and the others. I am saving this poem to my faves Tom. Bravo! Blessings, Connie xxoo Tom Cunningham May 20, 2021 at 10:55 AM Thank you very much Connie, soldier friends returning from Poland and other countries relayed to Sophie and others the horrors that they had witnessed and thats when she decided to stand up to the evil regime and that sadly she would eventually pay with her life, its only in recent years that she and others are recognised as heroes who stood up against Hitler and his twisted ideology. Thanks too for the fave. I hope you are keeping well. Tom

Paul Callus May 20, 2021 at 5:42 AM Adopting a firm position about such an important issue was not easy in those terrible days, but brave people such as Sophie Scholl are not afraid of standing up for what is right! Thank you for bringing this to out attention, Tom. Best regards // paul Tom Cunningham May 20, 2021 at 7:11 AM Thank you very much Paul, I only came across her story a couple of weeks ago and her true bravery inspired me they weren't afraid to take risks against the evil Nazis, sadly she and her friends paid the price with their lives. Tom

Juliet Ligon May 19, 2021 at 7:13 PM Great to learn of Sophie's bravery in the midst of all that the Nazis did. You did a great job compiling this touching tribute. Tom Cunningham May 20, 2021 at 12:15 AM Thank you very much Julie, I was amazed how brave she and the other members of the White Rose were standing up to the evil Nazis. Tom

Alexis Y. May 19, 2021 at 2:25 PM WoW! Tom, You penned a well written and informative write about a brave young lady. Thanks for bringer her to my attention. Excellent job. Have a wonderful day- Alexis Tom Cunningham May 19, 2021 at 2:33 PM Thank you very much Alexis, im happy you liked it. Although we were at war with Germany not all Germans supported Hitler and his twisted ideology. Tom

Besma Riabi Dziri May 19, 2021 at 6:18 AM Sophie and the like had strived to make the world a better place and you, Tom you are making a huge effort to raise awareness in a so genuine and a lofty way! Your great poetry is a wonderful and powerful stand against ugliness, evil hearts, narrow mindsets and all the darkness that might prevail over the beauty of the human nature! Sublime poetry worthy of all the honour and recognition! God bless you and My deepest regards. Tom Cunningham May 19, 2021 at 7:56 AM Thank you very much Besma, throughout the ages there has been dark times driven by pure evil and its people like Sophie who shine as beacons of hope for all humanity, even risking their lives to do so, before her execution she said " what does my death matter if it makes others stand up against evil". I hope you are keeping well. Tom

John Watt May 18, 2021 at 10:54 AM The cost of so many lives makes one shudder, but to put a name to the tragedy and tell this young woman's story is such a poignant way to remember the real horror of that period. Thank you for enlightening us to the courage and fortitude of these heroes, Tom. Tom Cunningham May 18, 2021 at 10:58 AM Thank you very much John, the Nazis ruled by fear and for her and her friends to set up a peaceful resistance movement in those times is nothing short of incredible, they knew the risks but carried on regardless. Tom

Lindsay Laurie May 17, 2021 at 6:46 PM Hello Tom ... just standing up to these thugs was a death sentence so Sophie is remembered a hero, unlike the thugs who murdered her - more history you taught me so thanks Tom - Lindsay Tom Cunningham May 18, 2021 at 3:04 AM Thank you very much Lindsay, they ruled Germany with an iron fist and murdered those who stood in their way. Tom

Joseph May May 17, 2021 at 4:16 PM A great tribute to a a brave young lady who saw the Nazis for what they were... Tom Cunningham May 18, 2021 at 3:03 AM Thank you very much Joseph, im sure many thought like her but were terrified to speak out. Tom

Sara Kendrick May 17, 2021 at 3:38 PM Good work informing us about this brave young lady. She stood for what she thought was right against all odds. I know she has a special place in heaven. Thank you for dropping by my page and sharing your thoughts about pets being members of our family. I appreciate the sympathy. Sara Tom Cunningham May 18, 2021 at 3:01 AM Thank you very much Sara, if only others had stood up to Hitler it might have been a different story. Tom

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