In the second story portion of The Shawl, Rosa, we learn of Rosa's life after her survival of the horrors of the Holocaust. Besides her animalistic conditions of living, Rosa shows her trauma most notably through the letters she writes to her dead daughter, Magda, who was killed in the camps. Because of the letters, the disturbing question arises of if Rosa actually believes Magda could be alive, or understands her letters as a coping method. The follow issue inspired me to write a small, poetic-like piece regarding my belief on the question.
"Are You Listening, Magda?"
Are you listening Magda?
Can you hear me screaming out for you?
When they took you from me,
and you went shock bodied stiff,
I dare not say a word.
But I call for you now Magda,
each day and every night
in the dark corner of this room,
through scribbles and scratches.
The blonde of your curls is the brightest color I remember
when this Florida sky is so black,
So I'm calling for you Magda,
Can you hear me Magda,
Won't you call back?
No comments:
Post a Comment