http://www.holocaustroad.org/ I'm finding that this road started many years before WWII.
I wrote this poem to try to honor those that suffered and died; honor those that fought to stop injustice against people; and to promote forgiveness and compassion for all people so this may never happen again...
May we all learn to Love our neighbors as ourselves. May we learn to Forgive. May we teach and Live Compassion and Tolerance, May we learn to live in Peace for we are all brothers and sisters of the world. Once we realize and incorborate these things into our lives, Peace may truly have a chance.
Beyond the Clouds of Death
(The Shoah or Holocaust)
Atrocities so horrible
make up the Holocaust
Where people were not people
And humanity was lost
Torture, Death, and Hunger
The Shoah's horrendous shroud
And in the background burning
The fumes of human clouds
To break the spirit and the lives
Of this almighty clan
It was power and insanity
That fed Hitler's plan
The devil came to life these days
the world came tumbling in
People blindly followed
Minds controlled from deep within
Lies and fears and blinded eyes
The massacre kept going
Like drones work was carried out
As hate and fear kept growing
The suffering unbearable
For people once so strong
Now shadows of their prior selves
How did life go so wrong?
Stomachs always grumbling
Little rest from dusk till dawn
A people thought forgotten
Their hope was all but gone
Yet in the bleakest darkest days
Within the souls of some
Remained the faith of ages
Though bodies beat and numb
For silent prayers not silent
They reached to God's own ears
He answered into hearts and minds
Gave courage to ease their fears
Where was God in all this horror?
Is what I hear some say
Just like the dove for Noah
He's there on the bleakest day
Look into the darkest corner
God's there behind the scene
He's teaching some compassion
Opening eyes to all that's been
Stars at night gave Peace to some
As silent prayers went up
Their twinkling light acknowledged
They'd reached God's holy cup
Like manna from the heavens
God is in the rain
Quenching thirsts and washing souls
Relieving some of the pain
Too many people did not survive
The hell that was around
Yet deep inside, lived a strength
A Faith that would astound
To honor those who's hope was strong
We must learn to forgive
In the end God's Law and Love
Will teach us how to live
Remember all the hate that spun
Out of control back then
But focus on God's strength that lived
Inside women, children and men
As in the Exodus of old
Tyrants are crushed and killed
Hope remains inside of those
That know what God has willed
The Promise of a better life
Like a phoenix in the sun
Out of the fires of hate and hell
With Faith in God, we've won
It's hard to see the rainbow
Beyond the clouds of death
Yet, in the deepest part of us
It's in our very breath
Let's heal the wounds of this hell
When insects fared better than man
Douse the hate and breathe upon
Forgiving embers if we can
Let the flames, this time, be from
Compassion and from Love
Melt hate and fear and intolerance
With God's Word from above
So live with God as Moses did
Beyond the trials of man
Teach the past but not the hate
and Honor the Great "I AM"
written with Peace, Hope, Love and Light
by Nina Pauline Ploetz
To:
Acknowledge the Holocaust through the Strength of persecuted people
Morn those that died before their time
Honor the surviving hearts of Faith, to show their Hope survived
Thank all those who fought for Tolerance, Compassion and Love
Teach Peace, Hope, Love and Light to future generations
Let a quiet Healing voice be heard above the crowd of pain
12 comments:
What an amazing poem, Nina. There are so many lines/phrases that are exquisitely said and capture in a few words the lost and forsaken feeling of a horrible time in the world's history..."Humanity was lost;" "the fumes of human clouds..." Absolutely poignant and a sadly succinct summation. It is mind boggling to know that one man could incite and perpetuate so much hatred. I've done some studying and even taken a history class at a Chicago university on this subject. Your project sounds amazing. So glad you've written this for those who have forgotten or those who aren't too familiar with this time in history. A sad time for all mankind, truly.
This may be your best poem, Nina. I can tell how passionately you feel about this. I too YEARN for PEACE---and have been singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" for years and years. Don't know if it will happen in our lifetime--but we can still PRAY.
Thanks for a terrific post, Nina.
Hugs,
Betsy
What a stunning tribute, Nina. And thank you for this reminder about this night of pain and suffering, and how we can align ourselves with love, compassion and peace to facilitate healing and eliminate future suffering. May we be kind....Blessings!
I'm sure that all who suffered during those horrible years look upon you with eyes of gratitude and love. So beautifully written dear Nina.
When we truly and fully honor the past, the internal lessons have been digested, the spirits have been forgiven and released from all angles, so that they too will no longer be summoned to relive the past in this moment by us and can relinquish being a ghost, and can finally return home to rest in peace. This is when we can be truly alive in the Now to create a new world that reflects our heart felt dreams.
This is an incredibly powerful poem, Nina...I love the lines "Torture, Death, and Hunger/The Shoah's horrendous shroud/And in the background burning/The fumes of human clouds." You have painted a painfully accurate portrait of the horror...and it has staying power...even when I cease reading...your words continue to echo in my mind! Fantastic! I love your work! ~Janine XO
This was one of the most challenging and emotional poems /stories I've ever written. I've done 4 re-writes as my Jewish friends said it was a Christian poem written for Christians. My intent was much more global in view and healing, so I carefully wrote and re-wrote it. Each time I tried to be more universal with the wording to get my true heart and thoughts out to all.
It is meant as a poem to educate, honor and to heal all of humankind. Something we must do in order to move forward, and create a better world of Unity, Peace, Compassion, Tolerance and Love. Thank you all for taking the time to read it with an open heart and mind and share your thoughts with me. I truly appreciate all your feedback.
May you be Blessed with Healing, Compassion and Love. Love and Light, Nina P.
Dear Nina, I have just read the poem Beyond the Clouds of Death. It is so beautiful. We lived through that time and knew of the horrible thing that the people went through.
thanks for your comments on my work. Creating my animal has been a joyful time in my life and very rewarding. You are a sweet heart.
Best wishes. Dollores
Powerful Nina.
I felt like I was holding my breath while reading this.
The horror.
Love Renee xoxo
Nina,
this is absolutely a beautiful tribute, not just to those who's lives were lost, to their ghost memories their families still live with, but to all of humanity...and the goodness that really is ever present in the world.
I am adding a love link of your blog to mine.
Laura
Beautiful poem Nina it must have taken many hours of thought to create it. It boggles the mind how things like that are even possible how human beings could reach that level of depravity, it's so very sad.
Wonderful cloud formations--extraordinary post.
My Father was in a Nazi Prison camp in WW2. The things he saw and experienced were unspeakable.
Ah, if only people would not treat one another so. Sometimes atrocities are spent on the most innocent, for a difference of opinion, or belief.
For a human being to treat another human being as we know they have--is beyond my understanding. Dad's stories of what happened to him as a 19-year old soldier are heart-rending.
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