by Judy Furniss

Created on: March 14, 2010

Her name was Hannah. She was quite fair,
with ebony eyes and dark brown hair.
She married a rich young Jewish man
and bore him eight children in a twelve-year span.

Then tragedy struck in a horrific way
her life was changed in a single day.
The story unfolded with this woman's fate
the moment she walked through the Iron Gate.

Torn from her husband at the railway yard

left in the hands of a German Guard.
Ordered to go right the first time around
selected to work, tilling the ground.

Then one by one her children were taken
And gassed in the chamber, each life forsaken.
Her soul filled with anguish, utter despair
as ashes rained down in the smoke filled air. 

In the palm of her hand she'd catch just one
though heaven for them had surely begun.
A precious piece to hold so dear
in her pocket she'd put it to keep it near.

A few years later things came to an end
the Jews were liberated and left to mend.
Yes, Hannah survived the Holocaust
the only one left, her family all lost.

Hannah spent the rest of her years
grieving her loss with unshed tears.
Running from here, running to there,
snatching at nothing in the air.

Then ever so tenderly she'd hold her child near,
and whisper, "you're safe now, there's nothing to fear."
In her pocket, she'd place her prize
then continue her quest under sunny blue skies.

        

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