The Morning It Snowed

Image Source:

Living on an Island which celebrates being liberated from German occupation and having witnessed the effects of modern genocide in the Balkans, I recognise the importance of marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz which takes place today. My heart goes out to all those affected by what happened during the holocaust.

It is a disgrace that whilst the world, quite rightly, remembers the atrocities which took place under the Nazi regime, there are a number of countries in which genocide is occurring today. To our great shame, these atrocities are being allowed to occur by our governments and media who for the greater part turn a blind eye.

This poem, written 3 years ago, is for those affected by genocide wherever and whenever it has occurred.

The Morning It Snowed

His shrunken frame stood tall
She noticed dandruff on his shoulders
And brushing it watched it fall
evoking memories that still appal.

White flakes tumbling to the ground.
hollow eyes peering from windows
seeing where they were bound
as the ash settled all around.

The stench hung on misty air
walking across the courtyard
as quickly as they dare
their heads bowed low in despair.

Smoke belching from the tower
bearing souls away.
Hour after hour
ash settling on the ground like flour.

Yet they survived the Genocide
when the Devil’s dandruff
covered the countryside
leaving its wounds deep inside.

John Carré Buchanan
13 July 2011