A/N: I wrote this poem back in May (2009) for an English assignment, we had to write a poem that had a powerful message. While trying to work on it, I started thinking about the Holocaust because it's always been something that I think is really interesting to read about. I thought about how the Nazis were so brutal and they didn't stop at anything; they tormented everyone, even the very old and the very young. So...I came up with this, which is written from the POV of a child. It's the only poem I've ever written that I actually think is kinda-sorta-halfway decent. I read it out loud to my class and I had people coming up to me afterwards saying that it gave them the chills, or almost made them cry, or whatever. (I wasn't sure how to respond to that...am I supposed to say "thank you"?) But it was nice knowing that my point got across, I guess. So I hope you guys get something out of this.

Oh, and the weird spacing in between the stanzas represents the passing of time. The more space there is, the more time has gone by.

MOMMY, WHY?

Mommy, why do you look so sad?
Why do we have to wear these gold stars on our clothes?
Why do they want to know that we are Jews?

Mommy, I miss Daddy. Where did those mean men take him?

Mommy, what's a Nazi?
…Oh, so they were the men who took Daddy away.

Mommy, where are they taking us?
Why are we getting on this train?

I know, Mommy. I'm holding on to your hand as tight as I can.

Mommy, how long have we been on this train?
I'm so hungry, Mommy. And thirsty. All I want is some water.

We're finally getting off the train, Mommy!
I didn't like it in there. It smelled bad and the people were too close together.

Mommy, what are all those towers in the distance?
And why is there so much black smoke coming from them?

I'm scared, Mommy. I don't like this place.

Why do we have to get in a line, Mommy?
This man up ahead looks scary.
Is he a Nazi?

Now he's telling us which way to go.
Wait, Mommy!
He told me to go right and you to go left.
I don't want to leave you, Mommy! I'm so scared!

Mommy, I went to the right just like the Nazi man told me to.
There's some other people here with me who I don't know.
The Nazi man is telling us that we're going to take a shower.

We just stepped into the shower room, Mommy.
I'm crying, Mommy. Where are you? Why did they take me away from you?

Mommy, I'm really scared now!
I…I can't breathe! Help me!

Mommy, I love…