AT SOBIBOR

Carnage all around us
as my neighbor told me
about Sobibor
was liberated,
don't be surprised
that the Hell fascism created
in the war is gone
and here is a survivor
and asks me
as a favor to return
with him to the camp
as we set out for Poland
as they stamp his passport
I saw the numbers
of hatred
234678
on this artist's shoulders
snow blazes on empty fields
as a sun set on the red sky
we view the souls and bodies
hiding shadows
of dread and regret
as even the wild flowers die
Misha offers me
and a handkerchief
by frayed leaves
of my disbelief
at exile, deportation, death
everyone around me
is breathless with grief
as Misha's sister sits
to pray on the last chair.