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Sheep In Uniform
I can’t believe one man decides my fate
Choosing how it’s done,
And his hair
A moustache perfectly formed on his top lip.
I would have liked to rip it off.
"Knowing he would suffer
Even a second's slight pain"
Would have been worth it.
Standing straight, beaming smile,
As if he was offering tickets to the
Merry-Go-Round,
I never saw anyone come off though.
Dedicated sheep in uniform
Just following his orders.
I feel sick,
Fortunately stomach empty,
There’s a lot to be said for my starvation today.
It’s the badge they wear, I hate most
Although the long black sleek polished boots
Also very intimidating.
The sheep have no thought for life
They just do what they're told
Although they don’t like fire themselves,
Their faces told me they enjoyed
The vision of someone else being burnt alive
I imagined for a second
What it would feel like if I pushed one in,
I already know he will be odorless
“Evil doesn’t smell”.
Where’s the fun in that?
My sister, already taken
My heart now marble anyway.
My legs no longer have feeling,
Terror has paralyzed them
I’m so glad,
Paralysis being my only friend.
I feel nothing.
Can you believe
It’s the pushing and shoving
That bothers me most?
I’m not scared, I promise
No point,
The more I shiver
The Evil laughter gets louder.
I’m ready.
Let them throw me into the fire,
I’ll be free from Hell.
The smell of burning hair,
Odor of sister’s skin being cooked.
Screams, unforgettable.
Even when I sleep forever, I will hear them.
I hope someone finds
my drawing one day?
I left it in camp,
It wouldn’t be hard to find.
A drawing of my house,
my sister and I, outside
A swing in the garden
Painted blue like the sky,
I drew a bright yellow sun.
Oh and not to forget
My darling dog
My beloved German Shepherd.
Comments
Asche Keegan
Sun, 2021-01-10 13:24
Dear Teddy,
*sits back in humbled awe*
This is such an amazing poem, Teddy, and the thoughts conveyed within it hurt so much it's breathtaking. This was my favorite line: "Let them throw me into the fire,/I’ll be free from Hell."
And that last line, a GERMAN shepherd especially....truly heartbreaking how it all ties together. Great job!
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https://meanderingbackward.blogspot.com
"The true alchemists do not turn lead into gold; they turn the world into words." -William H. Gass
Teddy15
Sun, 2021-01-10 14:00
Dear Asche
I am quite blown away that you got the last lines, yes it brings the whole poem together, it's one of my most significant poems, tonight I feel like I have done a good job. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Thank you...Teddy
Ray Whitaker
Sun, 2021-01-10 16:58
I am curious about the originating event
that resulted in such a dramatic poem, so full of angst. however sharing it might be too much.... Perhaps this was in a dream?
This is one of the longest one's I've read from you. There is a lot of movement. you carry the pain all thru it, and that clarified the opening stanza for me. Nice to have some questions in my mind when reading pieces, i find that engaging. Not everything needs to be so explained in a poem, yes?
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Raywhitakerblog.wordpress.com
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Teddy15
Mon, 2021-01-11 02:34
Dear Ray
It is one of my longest writes
Thank you Ray, This is Empathy for a child in the 2nd world war on this occasion.
Dark I know but I wouldn't be a poet if I did not express my thoughts and challenge my talents, of course my talents go as far as hobby but i still like to push myself
This was actually edited here at Neopoet around 3 years ago with some of the great poets who are no longer here. X
Thank you...Teddy
Alan S Jeeves
Mon, 2021-01-11 08:09
A picture paints a thousand words...
Teddy. I had a similar experience in Jerusalem one time, at Yad Vashem ~ Israel's monument to the holocaust. Not through a picture though but a sculpture.
www.storystar.com/story/20162/alan-s-jeeves/true-life/inspirational-2
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Critique is a compliment
Kind regards, Alan
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Teddy15
Mon, 2021-01-11 08:35
Dearest Alan
Thank you, for your kindness and sharing what inspired you. All though it was one of the darkest days of my life to see such horror in a museum I knew what I was going to see before I arrived, I didn't expect to see the children's art work. I am proud of this peice and in my own eyes have brought the picture to life back for this little girl and what I also hope, with some dignity. It's not just butterflies and flowers that inspire the true heart of the poet is it? Thank you Sir.
Thank you...Teddy