In Loving Memory of Me

Last Tuesday I started sharing a series of poems that my students wrote several years ago after studying the Holocaust. These 7th grade poets astounded me. I hope you feel the depths of emotions they shared.

In loving memory of me,
in loving memory

of my hopes and dreams,

Because in here it seems

I don't have any.

In here there is nothing,

Nothing but fear and hatred.

There is not even a slight smile

on the face of a child.

All I ever see on their faces

is worry and no hope of freedom.

All I ever hear is

"in loving memory,"

but today is different.

It's "in loving memory of me."

As I walk down the long hall,

I feel as though

there is still hope for me.

As I am waiting in fear

taking my last breath,

As I am watching the drunken soldier

laugh at my tears,

I take one last look around me,

I look at my mother

dying in her own tears,

And I wave to her that last goodbye

and whisper to her,

"In loving memory, Mother,

in loving memory of me."

by Shelby