Most Popular Writers  |   Poet's Board   |   Search   |   Add & Edit Poem(s)
Online Poetry Site

Guarding Maria : Holocaust Poetry

written by Poet : Paul McCann


Maria was still at school when the war began .

Then headlong into a German army she ran . 

Polish and pulled from her family in Warsaw .

Imprisoned, punished and controlled by Nazi law .

At a concentration camp she was send to and work .

The guard who watched over her treated her like dirt .

She cooked for him and then he made her beg for food . 

He beat her into submission because he could .

At the end of a long day sleep was not allowed

He paraded around like a peacock , so proud .

He ran away the day the allies took control .

With the war over she was set free from the hole .

On an emigrants ship she sailed to a new life .

She met a man from Poland who made her his wife .

They had three kids before he wanted a divorce .

She said no because she was a Catholic of course .

He left her for his lover and she found Jesus .

I don't know what it is but God sees it in us

She became an acolyte and was proud to boast . 

That she could now administer the sacred host .

So there she stood holding a chalice on Sunday  . 

Handing out communion to those who came her way .

Then came the day a mans face in the queue she saw .

She took a deep breath but her breath couldn't withdraw  .

She froze with fear. She couldn't believe he was there .

The Nazi guard came with his hands outstretched to her  ,

She looked at him and then silently said a prayer .

She let it go to God in total surrender .

Then placed holy communion in his hand and said ,

I forgive you and she wept tears that felt like lead .

Maybe he needed to hear that before he died .

Maybe that's the reason why he stood there and cried .

Maybe he never recognised her face at all .

Maybe it was the day when his life would be called . 

She was free from her demons and hoped he was too .

The last thing she said to him was God be with you  .

That's the last she saw of him and now she's at peace .

From her earthly ties Maria has been released .

           Some souls are bound for heaven some are bound for hell .

Who are we to judge others ?

None of us can tell .

 

By Paul McCann

Originally Posted On Site: 2007-05-29 06:04:00
Last Login: 11.21.08


Visits as of 12-12-07: 91