inhale...exhale...relax your shoulders...repeat as often as needed

Monday, April 19, 2010

yom hashoah

i go to hear two survivors bear witness.
every year i am stunned anew when she pulls up her sleeve 
and shows the string of numbers tattooed on her forearm.
i go to hear the mourners' kaddish,
i go to resist complacency,
to become recommitted.
i go to hear the madrigals sing 
remember my song, by Albrecht/Althouse.

and i carry this prayer with me out into the spring morning...
i will remember.
i will act bravely in love.

8 comments:

  1. This is one of the things that makes me truly grateful I got to spend 5 years at the Woo.

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  2. Beautiful Mom. It's true...I'm amazed everytime I hear it, and am scared for the time when first hand survivors won't be around to share the message.

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  3. Not enough people have courage to bear witness to the difficult things in this life, and then take that knowledge and reflection and act in positive, life-changing ways to benefit others.

    You, my friend, always have.

    xo

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  4. A beautiful post. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the terrible things that have happened to people. Especially now that I have children.

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  5. How moving, Karen.
    What a solemn experience and how strong you are to bear witness to these brave survivors. Their experience is a horror that must not be forgotten, and must never be repeated.

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  6. Karen, that was a beautiful post...
    and we better remember...
    What a brave woman to bear witness still

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  7. Yes, remembering is so important. And speaking up when we hear something that concerns us...thanks, all, for your comments.

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  8. i'm glad you go.
    i'm glad you told us, in just that beautiful way.

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