The Day We Met

THE DAY WE MET O cursed was the day we met in Auschwitz God had forgotten us that day Another day of hell The brief candle of daylight was snuffed away Through the walls of steel In this prison-coffin built O cursed was the day we met in Auschwitz What was our guilt ? O hateful the day we met in Auschwitz When dawned their hatred for us Out of the darkness -In their twisted animus -Out of their hands of bloody butchers -Out of their hearts of cold steel O hateful the day we met in Auschwitz To whom could we appeal ? O hopeless the day we met in Auschwitz Many more this day would be dead And see no dawn tomorrow All our yesterdays - fear and dread - Pharaohs had pursued us from time immemorial From Egypt, Russia, Gerrmany O hopeless the day we met in Auschwitz Could this day end only in infamy? O hopeful the day we met in Auschwitz Where in the day’s mist I found you Wandering within barbed wire wearing stripes Just another skeletal female jew Until I saw you smile The darkness was pierced by sun O hopeful the day we met in Auschwitz Should I again allow my sand of time to run? Oh joyful was the day we met in Auschwitz God was so good to us that day - by chance The darkest hour was just before dawn My hoped-for deliverance From the walls of pharaoh’s butchers Was found In your smile warm and embrace Oh joyful was the day we met in Auschwitz Can time this memory ever efface ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Written for Paula Swanson’s BESEECH contest By Sydney Peck