Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge 

 

My heart cried

When my feet touched Auschwitz

Although many years have passed

It seems like yesterday

 

I was brought here

Along with my family

We traveled three nights in a cattle train

Fully packed and had no space to move

 

When my little sister asked for water

I gave my water bottle with a small loaf of bread

Then she slept on my lap

But I was awake all the time

 

When the train stopped

The Doors were opened

There were no welcome signs

The SS men came with guns and dogs

SS-Totenkopfverbände greeted no one

 

When I saw Sonder- Commanders

I could read their eyes

They moved like living dead

Gave no word or smile

 

It was winter and I felt cold

I took a deep breath

My inner mind whispered

You have come to the land of death

 

When the Commandant came

We were separated

Some went to the labor camp

And the others to the gas chamber

 

They gased my parents

Along with my little sister

Their ashes were scattered

All over Auschwitz

 

Countless nights

I lived with the memory of my family

I worked all day long

But we were under fed

 

Famine and cold

Fear and beatings

Humiliations and torture

Every single day

We experienced death

 

There was no hope

There was no salvation

Only option left was

The electrified fence

 

After many years

We heard rumors

The War is going to end

And the Red Army is moving towards Berlin

 

In the final days of the War

The Nazis were frantic

Joshua said

They might terminate us all

 

On the 27^th January 1945

The Red Army came to Auschwitz

Many of us were walking skeletons

 

They gave us food

And said soon the War will be over

Many became astonished

But my feelings were numbed

 

On the day of the liberation

Auschwitz  survivors were parted

Many went to their homes

But I had no place to go

Because my family was no more

With Joshua I moved to Santa Barbara

 

Many years after the war

Again I came to Auschwitz

Not as a prisoner this time

But as a witness

 

This is the place they eliminated my entire family

I recalled my parents and little sister

They went through the gas chimney

Without telling me good bye

 

I tightly held Joshua’s hand

When I saw the remnants of the gas chamber

I felt despair

I had no tears to cry

 

I could hear many voices in this place

Million and half

Men women and children

Who were murdered by the Nazis

Then I clearly heard my little sister saying

Sara thank you for coming to see me

 

I closed my eyes

I wanted to be alone

 

Why did they do this to us?

Why Why ?

 

If I could speak to the whole world

I would say a few words

Please do not let it happen

Never again

Never again