“It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
–Primo Levi (1986)
Light a candle–
six million, if you can,
resplendent glow,
for those who say they didn’t know,
for those who didn’t, do not see
what once was, what could be,
who overlooked the ash-filled air,
who still ignore the pleading cries
and do not hear the ghostly sighs
that float over the walls of hate,
light a candle
for those who suffered then—
and now
and when
the hate-filled cries ignite the night
don’t pretend you led a fight,
or that you were righteous and true,
or even had a clue
as you embrace soundbite and meme
to boost your fragile self-esteem,
but see? The ghost numbers grow everyday–
and they never ever go away.
Today, January 27, is Holocaust Remembrance Day. I revised a poem I wrote a few years ago and re-posted last year. Authoritarianism and anti-semitism are both rising. Last year, followers of the former president tried to overthrow our government. There is so much ignorance–and hate–and people who embrace crackpot theories. We are living in a very scary time.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 