You came
From the gas chambers
With History
Tattooed
On your arms
You came
For justice
For freedom
You said
But we were here
Without knowing
We were waiting
To be told
That we were not
Part of History’s
Or God’s plan
We didn’t know
We weren’t the Chosen People
But nevertheless
We were chosen
To suffer
And to beg
An unattractive coda
To your covenant with God
This land is Holy you said
We agree
We dwelt with God just like you
We loved this land
Like you
But you said
Your God had promised
Only you
And that we deserved no promises
Just vague resolutions
And endless stalling
You hope that we will forget
You hope that we will tire
You hope that we will take our hope
Our sons and our daughters
Into the sea
Or across the desert
But no
We will not leave
Even if you bring
The worst evil
That brought you back here
And drag us from our homes
To unholy slaughter
Victims You
Victims We
The land weeps our blood
Into the sea
What justice?
Whose freedom?
Which history?
Paradise cannot be built on a lie
But hell can burn so much brighter with a hidden truth
We are here
But where, really, are you?
Dan Corjescu teaches at the University of Tübingen’s “Studium Professionale” Program
