The Power of Poetry

1. The Power of Poetry Team 8-1 Washington, D.C. Reflections Mrs. Landry Grade 8 Language Arts

2. The Shoes By: Kali DeNisi Remember…All the lives that were taken.All the souls being tortured;Woken up at the crack of dawn.Being prepared for selection;Struggling every day with terror in their minds. Their numbers were called And sent off to the gas chambers, To become nothing but ashes…The shoes are a remembranceOf those who were murdered, Like chickens in a slaughter house.Of those who were burned and gassed, As if they were logs in a fireplace. The shoes are a remembrance, Because the cries did not help; Because the fighting did not receive victory.The shoes are a remembrance…

3. Sketched By: Ben Wagner Names sketched in marble Shiny but translucent Like an eclipse So close they seem As if an illusion White names bare Lost of this nation Plaques screaming voices Honor in thy fallen Price they paid Debt you owe Another sketched

4. The Black Wall By: Lily Umba A silent reminder of a horrible past. A final place for all those who passed. A long list with names of many brave souls. Like life itself; for it won’t be forever. Countless names, from the first shot to the last. Towering above us, viewing in honor. Our pride – grief – thoughts and soul connections. Deep inside, always there, billions – linked. I will never forget you. All that you died for, it’s all there. So what is it to you? A black wall of joy, Or shame?

5. Rock as Black as Death By: Douglas Hamilton Names carved for eternity, In rock as black as death. The souls of those names held, In rock as black as death. Represented for honor, In rock as black as death. A bitter sweet memory, Of those long past, Whose names are now, Eternally seen, In rock as black as death.