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This Poem was Submitted By: Medard Louis Lefevre Jr. On Date: 2015-10-05 22:54:09 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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holocaust

you were there you watched you were there you killed you were there you did nothing both of you are not quite human you were there to bury you were there to hide you were there to forget neither of you are quite human you deny the reason you deny the cause you deny responsibility you just aren't quite any human you are not the judge you are not the jury you are not God you're not even human

Additional Notes:
The Holocaust, the American Indian holocaust, the abortion holocaust, the African-American holocaust, the Stalin holocaust, the Armenian holocaust, the Bosnian holocaust, and all of those who don't quite look like us (the Rwandan holocaust, the Khmer Rouge/Pol Pot holocaust, the Communist China holocaust, and more), and many others conveniently or neglectfully forgotten. Sorry, touchy subject for me. Posted this on the fly.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Ashni Irey On Date: 2016-09-15 10:10:04
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Such events are an interesting study on hindsight. I have watched several documentaries on the holocaust where the people giving orders, opening gates, killing, burying have all done so with not much thought (dare I say, some enthusiasm, in some cases). The movie "The Reader" presents such the thoughts of such a person. They live in a grey area - the area of moral ambiguity - after the event. While it was happening, they didn't think that their actions would be scrutinized or judged in this lifetime. It was "just a job" - pushing a button. Comparing with what is happening today - a similar holocaust - the killing of animals in the factory farming setup, the planned murder of the environment, the slow death of rainforests and other habitats.. Do people really think about the consequences of their actions? Do shareholders think much about how their greed and demands affect unemployment and the economy? When we choose to buy or throw out plastic, do we think about where they go afterwards? So easy to sit back and deny responsibility. I love the accusation and shame and guilt that every human will go through upon reading this poem. It certainly made me think about a lot of things. Thanks for sharing!

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2015-10-30 16:25:05
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.87500
Mark this is so very well thought out, and while it flows so easily down the page the verbiage paints pictures that make the soul weep. You've done an excellent job of showing your deep passion about this and utter disgust at how it seems that so many are oblivious to the heinous crimes committed against our fellow man. Kudos for such a poignant write that demands the reader to pause and truly acknowledge what has gone on. Thank you for the post. Best always, Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2015-10-26 13:53:13
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Medard – Each time I watch and am reminded of the scourge of humankind, particularly that of the Nazis, Pol Pot, Stalin/Lenin, an assortment of despots and Muslims, and possibly the worst (numbers are difficult when lives don’t matter) Chairman Mao, I wish for time machines, for retribution and cannot contain the sickness that invades my soul. If only remediation was really possible. You are correct; “no even human”. Well Said. What is interesting, is I wrote my critique before reading you note. We are on the same page.

This Poem was Critiqued By: charles r pitts On Date: 2015-10-23 02:40:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
touchy subjects indeed. a little confusion here in that it seems you are either speaking to one person (or group) or to more than two people (or groups) yet you use words like "both" and "neither" to imply two persons (or groups). and the last line of the 3rd stanza is a little confusing. some good ideas put forth in this one--but maybe this topic commands more thought and time. i get the feeling you didn't express EXACTLY what you wanted to.

This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2015-10-20 18:17:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
The stark message with you verses is felt - no - only God judges and when evil prevails even God can't control such horrific manifestations- Surely we all know what God wanted for us in our lifetime was nothing like this - We; all humans live through stories of the horror- recants of devastation - yes there is a lot of good in life - but equal to the good is the very bad - we must brave the tales - watch the news -and try to make sense of what some humans are capable of - good write, blessings, Deni

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joe Gustin On Date: 2015-10-16 16:07:41
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Bad things can only happen when good people see it and do nothing. This is why a Holocaust can happen. I think the work is stark and naked and posses no apologies. I believe the only way to get the masses to notice.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Wanda S. Thibodeaux On Date: 2015-10-08 22:05:56
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Medard: Your poem states hard cold facts without feelings it seems, which is how the Holocaust really happened...without feelings or conscious grief playing a part in their actions. They laughed and smiled while they killed, children...or anyone who was a Jew. I'm speaking mostly of the 'Hitler' days and the way he handled the killing camps. I just recently watched the Rwandan massacre and was horrified at how it was portrayed...I had read about it but the movie just shut me down. The Indian conflicts always speak of them swinging babies by the feet and hitting trees with their heads. They deemed that a quick death. OMgosh, I can't bear to think of how cruel and inhumane people were...and they have never changed. Our Native American people do not harbor their hatred of us anymore but I understand how they did in the past...Read the Trail of Tears. As a people, Americans also have sins to answer for. Great post! Thank you!

This Poem was Critiqued By: kevin Dunn On Date: 2015-10-08 16:25:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
A powerful piece in deed. I can see you feel strongly about this. The repeated "You. You were, You deny, you are not" brings the reader to stop and think. Perhaps one day humanity will stop killing. Thanks for this read. Kevin.

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