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Words For Those With No Voice

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This is who I would have been

I could have been your next of kin

The world we could have painted bright

Had not I been caught and gassed that horrific night

Words For Those With No Voice For every pair of shoes All the burnt bones and woes In the millions, in the mud All died alone Starving of food and having lost our souls Our god abandoned us so Mother father Sister brother Fuel for the Reich, we lay slaughtered Some of us were saved By those whose honor made them brave We must salute them all, the bold and the dead Even if we have only skeletons to mark their stead Now that time has passed There will be contests, it will be a blast Who wins first? Who wins third? The holocaust deserves no prize Why must we die twice, this is absurd? Honor me with a prayer A poem A moment of silence A heart felt thought about humanity Prose and verse, to remember the atrocities This is the honor of men of a higher velocity Never make a circus of the horrific gas chambers A contest of who makes the horrors more real or titillating Its not you the writer or the reader that feels It’s us gassed and burned and buried with our id numbers Asleep in the fields in slumber Yellow stars fading away in silence, in tears No grave markers to shout out of atrocious fears The subtly of honor is lost on the crass Maybe it’s them who should be buried under this grass Notes: I realize this is a delicate issue, I wrote this poem only because is of my opinion, that having a contest on such issues unless for specific venues, causes, etc. is somewhat tasteless. There is no right or wrong, this is simply by view or take on things and thus have expressed so via this poem. A contest implies a prize or reward even be it praise, and so to profit from so many peoples suffering, well I have explained why. However that being said, any expression or illustration dedicated to honoring and bringing to the light such atrocities, is a different issue. That being said good intentions are just that, no matter how misguided they may be. We should be grateful we live where we are free to express our sentiments, feelings and beliefs, without fear of repercussion, and that by its very nature will mean many have diverse opinions and views on any issue.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 10/29/2016 3:58:00 PM
So poignant and true. And, I get it. That is one reason I don't enter many contests. I write whatever is laid upon my heart just to get it out, so to speak...not FOR a contest. Anyway, I love this poem. It should become a "classic".
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Date: 10/25/2016 1:30:00 PM
Like the mother who miscarries, I cannot imagine her pain. Nor can I have "a take" on something so horrific. Fair dues to you for speaking out while others squirm uncomfortably, not knowing why.
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Date: 10/16/2016 9:13:00 PM
We are lucky enough to be writing in a place where we can openly express our views. That being said there are ways to write about delicate situation. While a contest might not be the best way to go about it, it is good to discuss such atrocities. Maybe a forum can be held, certain books can be suggested, and ideas can be exchanged.
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Date: 10/16/2016 7:50:00 PM
there is such a thing as Holocaust Remembrance Day so we will not forget this inhuman act, arthur... deep poem which breaks my heart.. never again should this happen.. i hope the seeker blesses each one with a spot...couldn't join this; too sensitive for me.. huggs
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Date: 10/16/2016 5:41:00 PM
Your write starts so wretching, history is filled with abuses both small and large. I know your stance on contests A couple years ago, I don't remember who had a contest I wrote a poem for about the Genocide in Holodorm if it wasn't for that contest I would have never known, I researched the heck out of it before I wrote, I didn't place in that contest, but I was proud I presented a great poem to the world about the tragedy. I hope contest or not that poets really can feel the power in their pen
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John Hamilton
Date: 10/17/2016 8:15:00 AM
Well said Cas, my point exactly!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:55:00 PM
There are many ways to bring issues to light, we must first think not of us the writers, or even the readers, but maybe the victums, for if we wish to honor them lets do so in a way that they themselves find respectable and acceptable. Hugs!
Date: 10/16/2016 9:13:00 AM
Brilliantly written poetry my friend. We must never forget that hate and horror rests comfortably within man's heart. Light, shine light upon that great Evil--for without light shown upon it- such brutal darkness registers not with those walking in educated blindness daily.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:52:00 PM
Thanks Robert, I always appreciate your kind words!
Date: 10/16/2016 8:15:00 AM
I appreciate your point of view, however, I see all contest as prompts to inspire poems, to inspire thoughts and to express what would perhaps never have entered the mind otherwise. 76 years later who is thinking about it, the new generation doesn't even know about it.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:51:00 PM
Sorry the post to Richard jumped
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:50:00 PM
yes you have a valid point, however if ever one wants to honor someone it is also a good idea to maybe seek the opinions of those you wish to honor, after-all, there are many ways to do so, and why not choose one that is fitting. That being said I agree is always good to bring things to light! Its a sensitive issue to many, and I wrote not from my own perspective on this, s the title suggests! :)
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:45:00 PM
Hi Richard yes, I understand, bringing things to light is always good, I was speaking for those with no voice, there is no right or wrong, was trying to give a unique perspective! Prizes never have to be material, many a Nazi was rewarded with a pat on the back.
Date: 10/16/2016 7:38:00 AM
In the spirit of free expression I also would like to weigh in. I respect your opinion Arthur but I don't see having this contest is tasteless. I feel it is an unfair characterization. My perspective is that the purpose of the contest is to bring awareness to a sad chapter in human history. As for prizes beyond placements there are no tangible prizes.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 8:46:00 PM
Hi Richard yes, I understand, bringing things to light is always good, I was speaking for those with no voice, there is no right or wrong, was trying to give a unique perspective! Prizes never have to be material, many a Nazi was rewarded with a pat on the back.
Date: 10/16/2016 12:10:00 AM
Bravo Arthur, for very personal reasons it is not a subject I feel comfortable writing about:-( Hugs jan xx
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 12:19:00 AM
Thanks, hope I conveyed the appropriate message and balance!
Date: 10/15/2016 11:08:00 PM
this atrocity will never be forgotten, not even by the non jewish people. Time has passed and now personal homage is all that is needed, we will never forget....well written ....Seren
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/16/2016 12:18:00 AM
Thank you Seren!

Book: Reflection on the Important Things