for Ben-Zion Gold

“There was a muddy ditch at the side of the road                   
where the road took a sudden turn. If I could jump—.”  
Five Muselmänner abreast, the trekking dead,                          
skeletons on the march to some other camp.

“I came up with a plan: if it wasn't already too late,                                        
if the weather held, if the guard didn't turn his head,               
by the grace of dark I'd make my way to the right                       
and take my chances. Chances were all I had.”

“Where in that hell did you find the nerve to live?                 
You knew what lay ahead if you were caught.”            
I thought he'd say, “No choice. Jump or be killed,”                           

but he wasn't giving lessons on being brave.                                                
“I was loved,” he said, “when I was a child.” 
I tell his story every chance I get.