Return to Witnesses
“In August of 1942” by Janine Oberrotman
The skies are blue
the trees are green
At 16
The apples fill the orchard
the garden is peaceful and still
A taste for love hovers over my head
and yet
Under that apple tree
I sit
in dread of death…
What will it be?
a shot, a blow?
Will it be quick or slow?
Will they torture and taunt me?
Will I be brave?
Oh, yes!
Nature smiles at me
her languid, indifferent smile,
in the fragrant air
the breeze is gentle and sweet and yet
my anger bitterly screams
how hard it is to die
how hard it is to die
not knowing what love means
not knowing what life is
at 16
And you
my classmates, my comrades, my confidants…
my future lovers,
What did you do?
Where did you go?
What did you think?
When death trapped you
at 16
… and who will mourn you?…
by Janine Oberrotman
