Dad,
I don't want to write about spring,
flowers blooming,
touching my skin,
making my spirits rejoice.
Dad,
I don't wish to write about egrets
flying into my yard,
celebrating glorious blue skies.
Dad,
I want to write about hunger and pain,
about a dark time,
when the sun did not shine for you
and for others.
A time when your belly was empty
and your eyes witnessed
horrors that remained with you
till the day you died.
I don't want to be gentle or soft,
I want to awaken souls.
I want the world to remember,
humanity at it's worst.
I want them to know
that you did not
let it define you.
You were a survivor,
a champion ,
that fought for other people's rights .
Your heart open and your mind
filled with dreams.
You wrote beautiful words,
soaring above the pain and horror.
Dad,
I want them to remember ,
the people that perished,
the people that did not
get to go home and build
a new life,
I want the world to remember.
Holocaust Memorial Day was this week. I wrote a poem called, "Numbers". It was dedicated for all those that perished and the survivors. I know it's not a popular subject with some but so important to remember.
There are crimes against humanity happening at different parts of the world even though we have come a long way, or have we? I recommend this article by my friend Belinda Munoz http://thehalfwaypoint.net/2013/03/a-place-powered-by-love/ . Compassion for others and their struggles is essential . We are all connected. Please join us here, http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
touched my heart...and i love that he didn't let the horrors define him..your dad sounds like a wonderful man.. watched the holocaust memorial reports on tv yesterday...we must to make sure that something like this never happens again
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claudia. My dad was an amazing me :) I miss him so much. We have to remember so history does not repeat itself.
DeleteAnother stiring one, as yeah surely should never forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat.
Deletemmm...it is good that we dont let people forget...not the event but also that there are those that were survivors and did not let ti define them....takes a strong person to do that...nicely written....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brian.
DeletePowerful and courage prose and people, Ayala. I love the echoes of determination and resilience in your poem. Thinking of you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rudri. xoxo
DeleteWe shouldn't forget those times and scars ~ Yet another reminder that until now, specially in war torn countries, there are still people suffering from the horrors of inhuman acts ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with us Ayala ~ You honor your father as well as all those who suffered & died ~
Thank you, Grace. Your comment touched my heart, I am honored to be able to do this.
DeleteA touching remembrance, ...heartfelt..thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie.
DeleteIt must never be forgotten. Great words.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tony.
DeleteYour dad must have been a strong and kind man. And I am sure he would be happy that he made such an impact on your life; and I am sure he also impacted other lives as well. We def should never forget.
ReplyDeleteHe did, thank you Mary.
DeleteThis just made me cry. So moving Mary, when I come here you either make me laugh or you stir up some tears- mark of good poetry if you ask me ;)
ReplyDeleteWow. It's of these things that I lack conception. Poetically, you never skipped a beat.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Todd.
DeleteYou're so right...something that should always be remembered. What a strong father you had...amazing tribute Ayala!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Di. We must never forget.
DeleteWonderful Ayala. My dad died in WWII--69 years ago yesterday. We have models to look up to.
ReplyDeleteI think of you every time I write about World War II. So sorry.
Deletetoo often we do forget... thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat.
DeleteA strong piece and wonderful memorial. A great use of poetry to express remembrance!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen.
DeleteNot only a beautiful tribute...not even ONLY a memorial, that we remember (I DO!), but your post is a fine reminder that this happens over and over on a smaller scale. (Scale is smaller, unless *I* am on it...)
ReplyDeleteYou write also for us a WARNING, that the same horrible atrocities could well happen again, if the world stops remembering, stops caring, and stops loving and praying.
Thank you Ayala!
Thank you, Steve. So many crimes against humanity still happening right now and I just feel despair sometimes that it continues on and on.
DeleteAyala, people should never forget that part of history, as history could very well repeat itself. Strong write.
ReplyDeletePamela
Yes, so true. Thank you, Pamela.
DeleteWow. This is powerful, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles.
DeleteSo many horrors in that war, so many unspeakable events. You would have thought mankind would learn. There always seems to be someone who wants power at any cost, and will stop at nothing, even killing innocents to get there. A powerful and thought-provoking piece, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ginny. Mankind did not learn...
DeleteRemembering with you. This is heartfelt and brought tears to my eyes. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly. xoxo
Deletevery powerful and a wonderful to bring attention to the current problems we still face as a global community. send my peace ~ Rose
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. Love and Peace to you.
DeleteThanks for bringing this day to our attention in the form of a poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rowan.
DeletePoignant. It makes me feel and think about my late father and what he gave up by fighting in WWII.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen. I am sure you are very proud of him.
DeleteHeartfelt and honest. There is a sad yet beautiful truth at the centre of such a life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, James.
DeleteAyala, this poem goes straight to my heart. Too many fill their heads with forgetfulness or don't stop to learn.
ReplyDeleteLast night I saw a Frontline about Syria that will make me remember the pain and death that war brings, and revolution, etc.
Thank you for this evocative poem. We need to remember regardless of national borders.
Lady Nyo
Thank you, Jane. I am honored that it touched you so.
DeleteHugs.
The approach that you took to this and the way you structured the poem are just brilliant. Really effective work, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MZ.
DeleteThe contrast between the subjects you said you didn't want to write about and the ones you chose to pursue makes your memorial to your father all the more powerful. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly.
DeleteThis was gorgeous, ayala. Maybe that's not the right word, but it seems to fit (for me). Yes, we are so quick to put the past behind us and yet, each and every day, somewhere in the world people are committing heinous crimes...and the cycle continues...if only we would remember and feel the pain of those who lived through those horrors...because I fear we never learn...
ReplyDeleteSo sad that the cycle continues..we must not let it. Thank you so much.
DeleteAyala, incredible poem--powerful and beautiful all at once. I remember when I found out about the Holocaust, could not believe that anything that horrific could have happened, but it did and it does--genocide is so soul-breakingly sad. Thank you for this, and for reminding all of us, we are connected. It's one of my core beliefs. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sara. It's hard to believe but unfortunately it did happen....
DeleteWe/everyone has to remember the Holocaust and also so many others/women etc so we keep ensuring this cannot happen and that things can always improve. And then we can appreciate the flowers, right?
ReplyDeleteYes. we must remember....
Delete"I want the world to remember" -
ReplyDeletesuch terribly important feelings for our lives
to remember the people, and the events and world we live in...
thanks so much ayala
Thank you, Adan. We must not forget.
DeleteWhat an important post Ayala. I found this to be very very touching and moving.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith. It was an important write for me.
DeleteI was taken by every precise, important word, taken by the your father's experience, expressed through your beautiful prose. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think about all the stories told to me..and the words pour out. Thank you.
DeleteCrying. But in a good, beautiful way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dana.
DeleteAyala - this is wonderful. So touching, and important.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary.
Deletepoignant painful lines written in such beutiful manner ... kudos to you dear lady. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend.
DeleteYes, it is so important to remember! For all those who survived and all the lost souls who did not~ We should never forget!~
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad, haunting and touching! :D
Thank you, Ella. Yes we shall never forget.
DeleteThis is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to your Dad & so very well written. Your Dad would be proud, especially seeing as he also liked to write beautiful words. A very powerful poem with a very important message for everyone. Never, ever forget!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katherine . I hope he is watching me from heaven and yes we must always remember .
DeleteAyala - this moves me tremendously. I am married to one whose relatives were killed in the holocaust. Interestingly, I have been given a duty within my own poetry or writing to explore and discuss war.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I appreciate it.
DeleteYou have honored your father and every person impacted by the unimaginable horrors of the holocost. We can't afford to forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth. Kind of you to say.
Delete"I don't want to be gentle or soft,
ReplyDeleteI want to awaken souls" accomplished I think.
Thank you so much.
Delete"...I don't want to be gentle or soft,
ReplyDeleteI want to awaken souls.
I want the world to remember,
humanity at it's worst.
I want them to know..."
Life is not always pretty, and unfortunately Life likes to give little reminders of that fact.
Thank you..so true.
DeleteThis is beautiful, and this poem of remembrance (along with your other poem, "Numbers") is almost chilling in light of what happened last week in Boston. I guess there are always people who want to kill and destroy. A part of the remembrance is honoring those who fight against those evils, in all kinds of ways...
ReplyDeleteYour poems are very haunting and profound. What a wonderful tribute to your dad.
ReplyDelete