TOWERING INFERNO

Invitation I accepted, first time I did see
Holocaust Museum, in Washington, D. C.
Memorial honoring Jews, they suffered, died
Atrocities of a war, a nightmare, some survived.

At the hands of the Nazis, regime at the time
Thought less of these people, inferior to their kind.
Deceived into believing, they were shipped by trains
Traveled for weeks, by the thousands they came.

Star of David, hexagram symbol, Judaism belief
Pinned to their lapel, for the whole world to see.
Lived in ghettos, deported, young and old alike
Packed in suitcases, were memories of their life.

Death camp Auschwitz, Buchenwald, to name a few
Thought they had another chance, to start life anew.
Enslavement, captured, separated from their love
No chance escaping, for certain, death loomed above.

Stripped of human dignity, fragile were their bones
Genocide, mass destruction, no choice of their own.
I could almost hear the cries, see horror on their face
Towering inferno, burned alive, buried in massive graves.

I don't need to question, reasons why we go to war
I think of these people, and what we're fighting for.
Ejszyszki Tower, thousand portraits, lost community
My freedom, costly possession, is a priceless entity.

To all the men and women, who fought in all the wars
I can only say "thank you," for giving us your all.
I am only too grateful, in this land of opportunity
You've given my life meaning, what it is to be free.