The siren just now sounded for Holocaust Heroes and Martyrs Remembrance Day.
The shorter, blunter name we usually call this day is Yom HaShoah.
When I lived in Switzerland as a volunteer, this was the view from my window.It is nothing more sinister than an incinerator that burns people's garbage in order to heat their water.
But there at the foot of the Jura Mountains, I discovered that my sense of the Jewish collective memory is strong and unavoidable.
I could never see the smoke and the chimney without being reminded of Nobel Prize winner Nelly Sach's poem "O the Chimneys."
Here are its opening lines:
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O die Schornsteine
Auf den sinnreich erdachten Wohnungen des Todes,
Als Israels Leib zog aufgelöst in Rauch
Durch die Luft –
.Oh those smokestacks
Above the abodes of death, so ingeniously devised,
When Israel’s body, dissolved into smoke, was drifting
Through the air--
(translated by Reinhold Grimm)
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The entire poem, in German and English, appears in the book German 20th Century Poetry.
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«Louis» understands your aversion to smokestacks. Very fitting poem for the mood of the post.
ReplyDeleteBecause some members of Mme la Vache's family in China were tortured and murdered during Mao's murderous rule, both Mme la Vache and «Louis» have a very visceral and negative reaction to anything glorifying in any way Communist rule. Thus «Louis» understands your reaction to smokestacks.
Louis et Mme la Vache, I am sorry to hear that. Terrible.
ReplyDeleteNever forget. Never again.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Never forget and never again. But, in a world of idiots, Israel must be ready to defend herself and stay strong. In the final analysis, Israel is responsible for protecting her people. No one else can be trusted to do it for them. We have over 3,000 years of history to back that up.
ReplyDeletePainful and tragic history. Yes, we must never forget. And hopefully, never repeat.
ReplyDeleteI just recently watched the film, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". What a hauntingly sad film. We must never forget!
ReplyDeleteAn Arkies Musings
We will never forget! Shalom
ReplyDeleteThere is a ssomber feel to this picture but I like it. I like the view and the way the smoke seems to mimic the clouds above.
ReplyDeleteDear Dina, what heartbreaking verses ! Every siren should sound everywhere people has a conscience.
ReplyDeleteMy inner counscience sounds as well, today, Dina. And I try to pass the message to my children.
We shall never really know
ReplyDeleteWhat men and women did
To stay alive.
I understand completely your aversion, but today dangers are more elusive. Soft spoken people are often more dangerous than rockets or bombs.
ReplyDeleteI agree strongly with moneythoughts!
This is a poignant reflection Dina. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteNever forget...two words that can have intense impact.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there is a day, though it seems one day isn't enough.
ReplyDelete