Birmingham City Council

A poem for Holocaust Memorial Day by Helen Monks

Helen Monks was Young Poet Laureate for Birmingham 2005-2006

Helen wrote this poem to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day


Kindertransport

My brother

A poem for Holocaust Memorial Day 2006
"One Person Can Make A Difference"

As the bells rang loudly from the steeple
And the grand church filled up with people
I thought back to the years of war;
How my brother helped the weak and feeble.

And though my brother in a coffin does lie
His thoughtful words shall never die
For men will voice them through the years,
Through whisper, shout, song and cry.

'They can take my clothes and things' he said,
'But not my dignity, I must give that instead.
They can torture me and imprison me,
But they can never take what in my heart and head.'

For in his heart and head was care
And truth and hope and no despair,
Love and standing up for what is right,
Respect for lives and being fair.

These good thoughts then travelled all around
Creating love where no goodness could be found,
And just one man, my brother, then changed
People lives and made them unbound.

As the bells rang loudly and the funeral began,
We bowed our heads for a very noble man.
And I couldn help but show a smile,
As the music started and the whole world sang!

You can read more of Helen's poems.

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