Trapped

We inscribe upon these walls, the story trapped inside.

A control impossible to break, though God knows we have tried.

In concentration camps we are,  shut out from outside life.

The very thing they steal from us, by gas, not gun or knife.

Night has come, the armored guard, has left and locked the door.

Leaving us, trapped ‘til dawn, to sleep upon the floor.

Every night and parts by day, we etch into the wall,

The horrifying story that, has now become us all.

Everyone who has taken “showers” is now dead and gone.

Others yell and disagree, they shout and squeal, “You’re wrong!”

Often times I sit and think, about my life before,

The life I had until this came, this fiendish death and gore.

My family and I lived in a small, safe German town.

At least that’s what we thought it was, ‘til the Nazis came around.

They took us away and put us on, trains to different places.

I looked at my mother and father once more, I never forgot their faces.

My sister and I were on the same car, if only for a short while.

It warmed my day like rays of sun, when I finally saw her smile.

We parted ways at Auschwitz, and I felt a sense of dread.

I knew that in less than a month, my sister would be dead.

I’ve been inside these walls, for a total of two years.

This cell is stained with not just blood, but also all our tears.

Within these I not only etch, a story, all too true,

Within these walls I also etch, hope for me and you.

By Benji B., Julian Middle School