He put a pistol to his head
But you lighted candles in the dark
From your room you saw the Torah burn
Bonfires of hate on Kristallnacht we learn
A fire to rage for years and miles and years
The fire of guns the ovens in their turn
The burning rage inside a violent heart
Carried a world to tear itself apart
But you – you got away – Kindertransport
And lived to ninety-two so the report
A picture shows you standing at a window
A candle burning bright for all who hope
And a memory of all that hatred does
Blotting out names and faces human lives
Do not curse the dark that candle says
Light the world with truth and daily bread
Care for one another
Show the way
Your life a witness
My turn now today
Brian Fahy
21 March 2023
+ After reading the obituary of Ernest Simon in the Guardian today.
Erris Poetry 