The Unknown
A poem about the Holocaust.`
As the train nears, the ground vibrates
Like a peal of thunder
White smoke billows in the sky
Like a sheet on a clothesline
A wavering line of yellow stars inches forward
Toward the unknown
Dust circles in the sky above
A thick, chalky scent
Casting a long, dark shadow
The clanging of wheels against the tracks
Bells announcing what is to come
What is to come?
A German officer, as sullen as Charon
Barking orders, a gun in hand
The air is heavy with a leathery scent
Of shoes, suffocatingly welcome
Achoo! Muffled by a sleeve
The crowd of Jews shuffles restlessly
Sweat puddled palms clutch faded suitcases
What will tomorrow bring?
Dust-spattered shoes step forward
Toward the unknown
The glowering sun spreads its fiery arms
Yet another burden to carry
Nervous chatter rises and falls
Like the choppy waves of a restless sea
All aboard! Toward the unknown
Like a peal of thunder
White smoke billows in the sky
Like a sheet on a clothesline
A wavering line of yellow stars inches forward
Toward the unknown
Dust circles in the sky above
A thick, chalky scent
Casting a long, dark shadow
The clanging of wheels against the tracks
Bells announcing what is to come
What is to come?
A German officer, as sullen as Charon
Barking orders, a gun in hand
The air is heavy with a leathery scent
Of shoes, suffocatingly welcome
Achoo! Muffled by a sleeve
The crowd of Jews shuffles restlessly
Sweat puddled palms clutch faded suitcases
What will tomorrow bring?
Dust-spattered shoes step forward
Toward the unknown
The glowering sun spreads its fiery arms
Yet another burden to carry
Nervous chatter rises and falls
Like the choppy waves of a restless sea
All aboard! Toward the unknown
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