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A life time ago
On Klatovy station
Sitting on a swing
Hearing the old joke
“Your Aunty Rudolph and Uncle Else are coming”
Small uncle and tall aunt arriving
Bringing amazing gifts from distant Berlin
A round doll’s house with street lights at its centre,
A huge rocking horse with thick mane and proud tail
A red car to sit, to pedal and drive.
Sitting on a sad train full of children,
Parents last seen shut off behind barriers.
Suddenly in the corridor, Uncle Rudolph, Aunt Else
Riding through Germany from border to border,
Magically familiar, laughing and joking,
Their presence here the best gift of all.
Yesterday
Making a long postponed phone call,
Giving names, dates of birth, last known address,
Hearing
2nd March 1943
Uncle Rudolph, Aunt Else
Deported to Auschwitz.
No one left to remember them
Just me
Finally, able to mourn.
