2065

Oma
Why live in the past? Why do you not forget?

Because I cannot forget nekhed
When the past lives in me
the pain etched on me still
the black ink fresh
the number tattooed on my left arm
No longer ein mensch
But a number-
2065
Convicted to a slow death.

Oma
What did they do? Why do you not forget?

Because they took everything away nekhed
Your clothes, your hair, your name.
At first they burn our books
Then they burn our men
A library of shoes
Piles and piles
Of shoes.

Oma
Why did you not avenge? Why do you forgive?

Because it is not their fault nekhed
It is not them who begin
So I forgive them for the curse
Which they unjustly placed
In the names of our father Abram
I forgive them for crucifying us a second time
For they knew not what they were doing.

Oma
What should I do? How do I not forget?

But you will not forget nekhed
For the past lives within you
Do not ever forget nekhed
Do not kill us again through your forgetfulness
One day you will tell your child
And let your child tell another
And their child another generation.