My Name Is. . .

I sit

a noise

laughter fills the air

a normal day

I talk to friends

then

very, very slowly 

one by one

fewer people look at me 

they don't like to talk

mother gasp

avert their stare as I walk past

Have I done wrong?

quiet noises are louder than they seem 

"Jew"

People now talk in whispers

"Jew"

cinemas, skating rinks

I always thought fun

not now

"Jew"

we are apart now my friends and me

even P.E classes are split

"no Jews here"

I ask why

"no reason, Jew"

"my name is. ."

"Jew"

I ask my parents

"it will all be over soon", they say

but weeks pass

things are stranger, voices louder

now there are flags and guns and a man,

a terrible noise

"Juden!"

mother was right

they were right

It was soon all over

and

now

I take a shower