#9234

My name is #9234
They call me what they wish
They call me #9234
Because that is my tattoo
It doesn’t hurt but itches
The pain I bore with no sigh
Because the uniforms around me
Cannot make me cry

I look around and see
Other little girls like me
Today is my eighth birthday
But there will be no party

I remember carefree days
My sister and I would play
No longer will I see poor sister
The uniforms took her yesterday

My tears are all dried up
I cannot sleep a wink
I wake in the night
For cries and screams of agony
Frighten me to death

I stand in front of two large doors
No family beside me
I am waiting to be herded in
No one to grasp my hand

Strangers stand behind me
I’m the first one in the line
The first one to see death

I hope it will be quick
I do not want to suffer
I am at peace with myself
I feel no fear

Momma would be proud of me
Pappa would be too
And brother would have a smile
Like the one when he fell down

I see the night before me
Of my family’s death
Brother shot and daddy hung
And momma stole at night
I hope that they are in a good place
And I will see them soon

I hope to god its quick
I want to see my family
I here a yell behind me
The uniforms are yelling
I must stop shaking and walk with pride
Or cowardness will take me

I walk with me head high
And I here the birds all tweeting
Walking to my death
But not me destruction

I march and talk to myself
“I am a Jew
that cannot be changed!
We’ve done nothing yet you kill us all,
Like rats inside your kitchen!
I will not complain but my death is close.
But hear this you mean old uniforms!
My name is Sophie!
Not a number…”


The doors close behind me
I see only darkness.
The uniforms are chanting names
The numbers on our arms
I am pushed through the metal doors
I hear a faint clink
“The lock is stuck!”
A uniform shouts
“Hurrah, a second chance!” most shout.
But still I am quiet
Because there are no second chances
For the numbers in the line

“Got it!”
Said the uniform and looked into the window
Sobs and cries and prayers I hear
While I stand there quite silent
I see the gas fill the room
I take a deep, deep breath
I feel dizzy, weak and faint
I look out the window
For one last time
A uniform watches
He says something and I am shocked
A frown I see upon his face
He looks at me and only me
And whispers
“Sorry, Sophie”


My name is a beautiful one
I loved all the time
And as I lay here dying
I think of my name until my eyes close
Peacefully I rest now
Most will never know me
Because on my arm
Is not a name
But #9234