It Will be Me

Poem based on a holocaust painting.

Yesterday you were a father
A husband
A friend
Yesterday you were a worker
A prisoner
A victim
Yesterday they all helped you
Laughed at your jokes
Patted you on the back
Yesterday I shook your hand

Today you are at peace
Asleep
At rest
Today you are gone
A corpse
Dead
Today they bow their heads
Lift you on their shoulders
Carry you away
Today I shake their hands

Tomorrow it will be another husband
Another father
Another friend
Tomorrow it will be another worker
Another prisoner
Another victim

Today I shake their hands
For tomorrow
It will be me