Hate thinks in terms of ethnic generalization...

Himmelweg: Block Fall from the Zyklon Door

...for "Those" who have persecuted me and my family, without relief, since December 1958 in/from West-Berlin

When you have passed nonplussed
by rumours
...of ovens
......of being burned alive by the horde
calcinated bones in torrid ashes
teeth without a name
pebbles in the sands of hate waves

When between you and the other side
is the block-flesh thrust through to Himmelweg
...........................................too late
you smell the Zyklon trap
about to be sprung on your innocence
your children looking to you for a way out
not daring to believe
you have left home without an answer

You can only wonder at how they led you
each child's hand ensconced in its mother's
the old and the infirm weeded out
the pill in the nape
....of men rushed ahead from their charges
............huddled
....slapped......jostled
...........whipped

for daring to ask: with rifle butt
............whacked
......jabbed......bundled
...........trundled

the eye searching hazily the breach under the helmet
benumbed fate
squashed hope
in the last faltering meek steps

It's only
when you're on the other side of yourself
......between you and the block-flesh
forming on the other side of the Zyklon door

You may wonder why you let your anger go
..........in safekeeping

© T. Wignesan 1987: July 2, 1987 [from the collection: back to background material, 1993]
Copyright © T Wignesan | Year Posted 2012