Holocaust - A Spoken Word Poem

This Poem was written by my 13 year old KJ. Some days I'm not sure what I will be grateful for in my post...then there are days like today.

I should ask to check homework more frequently. KJ will not be happy that I've used her Poem and posted it here for everyone to read, she's a very private person that way but sometimes as a Mom...well you just do things because then seem right.

Holocaust

Imagine you were born in 1920
Your family is Jewish
and you live in Germany

In 1933, a few months after you turn 13
Hitler and his Nazi Party gain power

But you're not worried - not yet

They make promises of wealth
and "economic recovery"
so you're not worried - not yet

You can't go to the movies,
Your Dad lost his job
You're getting worried

By your 15th birthday
most of your relatives are dead

Imagine you were born in 1920
Your family is Jewish
and you live in Germany

In 1935, a few months after you turn 16,
They've found you
They've found you hiding

Your family has warned you about this day
the day you will be taken away

Sent to a camp
A camp without tents, or fires, or s'mores
this camp
is a concentration camp

Imagine you were born in the year 1920
Your family is Jewish
You live in Germany

You have a job now
but you're not getting paid

Your job
is to shave people's heads

Friends, family, strangers come around
you shave their heads
not to speak one word

No one knows whats going on
that once they enter through that door
they won't come out alive

No one knows when their life will end
You could be killed today, tomorrow
or next week

You might die from starvation
This is not a pleasant situation



Not often does homework bring me to tears...today was an exception

Chicken Adventures

Mr. Serious has a very important school project in the works right now. For months he has been reading The Little Red Hen. He has to practice the text until he is really comfortable with it, this week he will 'present ' the story to his grade 1 class summarized in his own words like a verbal book report.

I've listened to the story over and over. I could retell it.

Me: "Who will help me set the table?"

Reply "Not I" say E-man, Lula, KJ, Mr. Serious, King and Tippy Toes

Me: "Who will help me fold these clothes?"

Reply "Not I" say E-man, Lula, KJ, Mr. Serious, King and Tippy Toes

Me: "Who will help me vacuum this carpet, dust these shelves, sweep this floor?"

Reply "Not I" say E-man, Lula, KJ, Mr. Serious, King and Tippy Toes

Me "Who will help me take out this garbage, clean this bathroom, change these beds?"

Reply "Not I" say E-man, Lula, KJ, Mr. Serious, King and Tippy Toes

.....

You get the picture.

The Little Red Hen was clearly a mother. What they don't tell you is that The Little Red Hen and Chicken Little were the same person feathered character. All that "I will do it myself" eventually sent The Little Red Hen mad and running around shouting jibberish about the sky falling. Does anyone else find it coincidental that once The Little Red Hen went mad everybody was on board, shouting and screaming about the sky falling and informing the King? Even in fables the characters can get behind a cause. First they drove that poor hen crazy then they joined forces to push her over the edge.

If life imitates art you should see a post sometime next week about me getting clonked on the head by a piece of the great blue sky.

Until then I am grateful that some father thought the plight of mothers funny enough to turn it into a book series and that he chose a hen not a pig for the character.

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


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