They came closer

But stopped a safe distance away

“Hey Swastika Girl!”

They called

Arms crossed

Standing in a formation

With their leader in front

“It’s pronounced Svastika”

She said

Turning back around to leave

“Ooh, sorry Nazi!”

Their leader shouted at her back

She noticed

“Where you going?”

The co-leader asked from their distance

“A meeting to kill us Jews?”

“Home”

She said

“My house”

A correction

This town wasn’t home

No where in it was

“Yeah, where your family has Jews locked in the cellars?”

Finally stopping

Turning

Coming closer

Frightened group

Backing away a little

“Don’t pull my family into your crazy schemes”

She spoke softly

Remembering that African saying

Well, she had the big stick

Gripping the large umbrella tightly

“Leave me alone”

“Why? So you can plot uninterrupted?”

“You’re probably wearing a Swastika somewhere, right?’

A member of the Young Jewish Association

At their school

Leapt forward, trying to grab her arm

For the armband that didn’t exist

Jerking her arm away

“Don’t touch me”

“You hate us, don’t you? Cause we’re Jews, right?”

They thrust Stars of David out

“I hate you”

She said softly

“Because you’re blind”

Leaving, walking away

“Oh, so now you hate blind people?’

The leader said

Voice cracking

After a moment

Of blessed

Rare silence

She tilted her head to the rain

Laughing