I am re reading David Koker's diary written in Vught 1943-44
He was a prolific writer and although this is a translation, I wanted to add his poem to the blog. I had read the diary before but it did not have as much meaning as it does now- having been where David was and wrote his diary.
David, unlike Anne Frank, had no book to write in. He wrote his entries on scraps of paper he was able to find. Later he used school exercise books for children who had been deported and murdered. With the help of civilian workers David was able to smuggle out his pages, In June 1944 David was deported first to Auschwitz, and then on to Dachau in February 1945- he did not survive the journey and died at the age of 23.
"Departed now the final train
In Total darkness and in rain
the world has suffering to spare
I hear the weariness, despair
when neighbors talk to one another
no Jew's left in existence
The falling rain would not subside
I sat at my open doors staring
at all that was cheerless outside
and thought: Seen it all, I'm past caring.
No need for more self-promising
there's never been all that much here
it's over and that's just as well
I also look now without fear
on what will be the bitter end
and concern myself no more with dangers
though I have no desire to die.
to have been born at such a cursed time
Maybe it's festive there outdoors
I'm fearful though and worn
Where can I go?
Never before have I felt so
Forlorn.
Forgive me
Forgive this cheerless song full of regret
Forgive me thousands of unpleasantnessess
Forgive me everything but don't forget."
David Koker
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