Ashes of the Shoah
In memory of the six million15 total reviews
Comment from Terry Reilly
If horror can be beautiful this skilful, deeply emotive poem reconciles those polar opposites. It is made clear from the beginning that these stark, chilling images are pictured with the mind's eye. They are all the more effective for being a product of internal as opposed to external vision. This is a work not to just to savour for the moment but to revisit on many occasions. Congratulations!
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2024
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If horror can be beautiful this skilful, deeply emotive poem reconciles those polar opposites. It is made clear from the beginning that these stark, chilling images are pictured with the mind's eye. They are all the more effective for being a product of internal as opposed to external vision. This is a work not to just to savour for the moment but to revisit on many occasions. Congratulations!
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much for this beautiful feedback and the generous six stars - they are greatly appreciated! xx
Comment from CrystieCookie999
This poem takes the reader on a visit to what concentration camps during World War II would have been like.
Favorite lines include:
these wastelands echo throughout infamy
I have never been to a concentration camp before. I think it would be a sad but memorable experience. Nice share.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2024
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This poem takes the reader on a visit to what concentration camps during World War II would have been like.
Favorite lines include:
these wastelands echo throughout infamy
I have never been to a concentration camp before. I think it would be a sad but memorable experience. Nice share.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much. I've never visited one before, but I agree - I think it would the kind of experience you would never forget.
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi Navada
This poem is full of strong images and emotions of the concentration camps during World War II. It is so sad that so many died for no reason accept power hungriness and fear. I like that the dead are given life to demand vengeance. You use good alliteration throughout this poem
Congrats on placing second in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great rest of the week
Joan
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2024
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Hi Navada
This poem is full of strong images and emotions of the concentration camps during World War II. It is so sad that so many died for no reason accept power hungriness and fear. I like that the dead are given life to demand vengeance. You use good alliteration throughout this poem
Congrats on placing second in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great rest of the week
Joan
Comment Written 18-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much! xx
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My pleasure, Navada.
Joan
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Navada,
thanks so much for sharing this thought provoking poem describing the terrible ordeal that so many European Jews had to endure. It saddens and aggravates me that there are so many people in this country who don't believe the holocaust really happened. In many of the upper crust universities the liberal professors are encouraging protests in favor of the massacre that happened on October 7th, all in the name of free speech or equality. We're on very shaky ground in this country right now, and we all need to speak out against the hatred that is happening.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2023
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Hello Navada,
thanks so much for sharing this thought provoking poem describing the terrible ordeal that so many European Jews had to endure. It saddens and aggravates me that there are so many people in this country who don't believe the holocaust really happened. In many of the upper crust universities the liberal professors are encouraging protests in favor of the massacre that happened on October 7th, all in the name of free speech or equality. We're on very shaky ground in this country right now, and we all need to speak out against the hatred that is happening.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 19-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Tom. I couldn't agree more. I really appreciate your generous six stars. xx
Comment from lyenochka
Great job with this free verse poem which is full of alliteration and metaphors which make the grieving over the horror of the Holocaust a tangible experience. I like that you used the Hebrew word "shoah" as the French Bible uses "holocaust" for the regular burnt sacrifices.
Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2023
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Great job with this free verse poem which is full of alliteration and metaphors which make the grieving over the horror of the Holocaust a tangible experience. I like that you used the Hebrew word "shoah" as the French Bible uses "holocaust" for the regular burnt sacrifices.
Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 18-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much. I know we typically use the term Holocaust in Western society, but I know the Hebrew term is Shoah and I wanted to use it on this occasion out of respect. I really appreciate your kind and insightful comments. xx
Comment from Bicpen
It sends a chill down the best of us well captured in a good use of descriptive poetic justification of horror to which portrays the vast loss of an inhumane act verified by the slow clambering effective rhyme where patience and sorrow meet in every line.
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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It sends a chill down the best of us well captured in a good use of descriptive poetic justification of horror to which portrays the vast loss of an inhumane act verified by the slow clambering effective rhyme where patience and sorrow meet in every line.
Comment Written 17-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for your comments and your very generous six stars - much appreciated.
Comment from Wendyanne
Wow what an extremely, thought-provoking, well written piece of free verse poetry Navada!! It is so hauntingly sad! The imagery is vividly descriptive and I can imagine the scenes in my mind. Very well done. Good luck!
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Wow what an extremely, thought-provoking, well written piece of free verse poetry Navada!! It is so hauntingly sad! The imagery is vividly descriptive and I can imagine the scenes in my mind. Very well done. Good luck!
Comment Written 17-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for your kind feedback and the very generous six stars, Wendyanne! xx
Comment from JSD
A stunning, bleak and dark poem, as it should be. And indeed so many events in Europe contain echoes of those awful times. You have expressed this with sensitivity and some excellent language and metaphor. Well done!
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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A stunning, bleak and dark poem, as it should be. And indeed so many events in Europe contain echoes of those awful times. You have expressed this with sensitivity and some excellent language and metaphor. Well done!
Comment Written 17-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much. I'd like to visit Auschwitz one day - as difficult as the visit would be.
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My son has been. I don't think I could cope.
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I'm not sure whether I could. I know it would mark me forever.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
As a Jewess, I especially thank you for this brilliant, understanding poem. It's beginning to feel terrifying again "out there," and I can't for the life of me understand the backlash.
Have you read The Tattoo Artist? It simultaneously swells your heart and breaks it. As I read your beautiful words, that's what came to mind.
Exceptional post, Navada. Again, thank you. xoxo
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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As a Jewess, I especially thank you for this brilliant, understanding poem. It's beginning to feel terrifying again "out there," and I can't for the life of me understand the backlash.
Have you read The Tattoo Artist? It simultaneously swells your heart and breaks it. As I read your beautiful words, that's what came to mind.
Exceptional post, Navada. Again, thank you. xoxo
Comment Written 17-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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I haven't read the Tattoo Artist - I will keep an eye out for it. I don't understand the backlash, either. Never have. Thank you so much for your generous rating. xx
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It was my pleasure. Thank you for your beautifully composed poem and social awareness
Comment from BethShelby
Wow! This is intense and chilling. It is excellent free verse and I sense a winner of this free verse contest. It really brings home the horrors of what happened. I can understand why descendants of this tragic time would seek revenge. Still, I wouldn't think doing the same to innocents of another culture would be the answer. Vengence is best left in the hard of God.
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Wow! This is intense and chilling. It is excellent free verse and I sense a winner of this free verse contest. It really brings home the horrors of what happened. I can understand why descendants of this tragic time would seek revenge. Still, I wouldn't think doing the same to innocents of another culture would be the answer. Vengence is best left in the hard of God.
Comment Written 17-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2023
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Yes, I agree with you. Not all Holocaust survivors felt this way - most got on with their lives and tried to achieve as much as they possibly could in their lives in tribute to those they had lost and on their behalf. I completely support Israel's right to exist and to defend herself, but their actions in Gaza are very hard to watch. I think Netanyahu is in some trouble on a few levels.