Camp

[Jonnie Falafel]

By the dull electric lamp
arose a vision so intense,
undimmed by squalor, stench and damp
in that Polish prison camp.

Emblems of their offence,
pink triangle and yellow star,
tattoo just below the sleeve
a hunger for tomorrow,
for reprieve. A hope that
what began in sorrow
would not end in grief.

A fantasy, the sweet relief of human touch,
the longing that grew so much,
became so great -
the lightest brush seemed profligate.

For dignity of those involved, for all -
they did what dignity demands,
resolved that when their names were called
to go together hand in hand.

In the furnace in the flame
Each heard the others name,
And as the flames burned brighter still
their grip grew tighter
till their fingers intertwined,
tight as their desire
in the furnace in the fire,
Flesh and bone combined.

The heat intensified
then tempered, they found
release that was denied
and they were one
with ash and embers,
and their hearts were unified.

[Jimmy O'Connell]

You take on a very difficult subject, Jonnie. And you write with deep feeling and dignity.

[MarciaLP]

I really liked this poem of yours. It feels very accomplished as well.

The lasting thought I had on it: in all the holocaust material, be it in word or film, desire is not rarely, if ever, associated with camp prisoners. This kind of longing you have evoked in their experience, is an original insight, I think. It rings true. You revealed it beautifully. The tone of the poem is lovely, and loving.

A very interesting, skillful, and diverse use of rhyme. Masterful. Also the minimal repetition strikes well. And the stilted, uneven meters of the stanzas--I think it worked here to add to the heightened drama of your subjects.

Really good work.

Marcia

(ps--did you ever read Vikto Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning? Of all the holocaust survivor memoirs, it is one that speaks to wholeness and even happiness in the trials. Quite different from most. Very positive--though it seems awful to say that--as is your poem.)

[Jonnie Falafel]

Marcia ~ Thank you for your appraisal. It's very much appreciated. Sorry it's taken a while to reply. I don't tune in here every day. I will certainly look up the memoir you suggest as it sounds intriguing. Looking forward to Leonard in Lucca in a couple of days. With warm good wishes ~ Jon