My Little Dove

The rumbling stopped and the train halted,

We moved as one.

We were all squished together in one carriage,

Family and friends, neighbors and strangers.

My body ached,

But I stayed strong for my baby

My little dove.

Our time was limited.

We were stripped, shaved, and showered.

I felt exposed and vulnerable, humiliated

Why are they doing this to us?

What will happen to my child?

My little dove.

They hit me, shoved me, screamed at me.

I haven’t done anything wrong, please,

I just want to know where my baby is!

They laughed at me, mocked me.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to die.

But I had to stay strong for my baby,

My little dove.

Then, I saw her smile.

In a crowd with other children,

Walking towards a building near the end of the camp.

As if she were at school with her little classmates.

I relaxed.

She’s safe.

My little dove is safe.

But something was wrong.

One by one,

Women screamed and ran.

They ran towards the building.

Why were they screaming?

Our children were safe, weren’t they?

I ran with my weak legs, stumbling, tripping, falling,

But I stayed strong for my baby,

My little dove.

There she lay, on the ground next to the other children.

Her beautiful smile gone, her eyes blank.

I fell to my knees and cradled her in my arms.

The only thing I could do was cry.

My last bit of strength died along with her.

They couldn’t separate us again, no matter what.

I wouldn’t let them.

The last thing I heard was a gunshot and then,

I saw her smile.

My precious baby.

My little dove.