Shabbat eve
Living candles ablaze
in the smoking ruins.
Pockets of resistance
ambush and hide,
strangling ring tightens,
sewers become highways.
Children watch over ancient walls,
gleeful on playground swings,
as Jaegers hunt without mercy.
Alarms resound,
“Pancerna! Pancerna!”
Molotovs arch brightly
without effect.
Old masonry
crumbles under concussions,
wounded shot,
‘untermenchen’ die,
fire consumes,
the ghetto ceases.
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Author notes
The WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING was a struggle of the 700 Jewish fighters who, between April 4, 1943 and May 16, 1943, gave armed resistance to the German efforts to liquidate the ghetto's remaining 55,000 inhabitants. After 27 days of fighting, the Ghetto Uprising ended the final destruction of the Warsaw’s 350,000 pre-war Jewish population. German losses were 16 dead and 85 wounded.
Comments
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Concise And Effective Depiction.
A worthy subject, Gagiikwe, one that I´ve read quite a bit about yet never cease to feel a shiver of awe (at the bravery) and nausea (for the inevitability of the tragic outcome) whenever reminded of it.
The struggles above and below ground are testament to the desperation and courage shown by the Jewish fighters against the nazis and their German sheep.
Particularly liked the mix of description and vocal immediacy well-wrought by use of relevant terms:
"Jaegers" hunters as tanks and "Pancerna!" which is I guess Polish or Yiddish for panzers.
Typo line 11 btw.
I remember my wife and I walking around Kracow looking for the Jewish ghetto where the map said it was - not a single sign of anything Jewish remained.
Yet however hopeless and minor the losses inflicted upon the Germans don´t you think they were right to fight?
Regards
gG
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