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
Copyright © Sidney Beck | Year Posted 2011
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