FRANCIS AT AUSCHWITZ

No words to speak or tell

under a grey blue cloud

where men created Hell

in a crematory shroud

In a brief span of time

grief had its way

and crime in chimneys

Nazi Germany had its day

We look to history

for any Q and A

for a way to Purgatory

only God can say

Here is only smoke and ashes

in only a wide abyss

no one spoke under the sun

to a lonely praying Francis

Here are Gentiles, many Jews

who walk to commemorate

and file in with commentaries
by stashed up body cemeteries

There is a light rain the air
which will spy a bird and butterfly
we say never again at any cost
at this human word holocaust

We may cry on His shoulder
who is dearer than a brother
or share His love with a sister
to be bolder and love nearer,

but it is here that we die to self
putting our sins on the shelf
let us live for affection
above our own imperfections

Looking to Jesus our author
for our new atoning directions
who alone forgives sins
in our skin and bones

Forgive the darkness here
wipe away our repentant tears
we say yes to share with you
in our sentence of fears,

And through our raining dreams
of all those shameful years
we remember the hailing light
that dawns on all our nightmares,

For you care for us all and least
in spite of our failing all
we too write our names
on the wailing wall

United in the sun
and oven birds
nun and priest hear
the Rabbi's words.