WHAT TO DO

What to do when the war's going on?
What to do when your loved ones are gone?

What to do during Hitler's reign?
What to do with all of this pain?

What to do when you can't see the sky?
What to do when you can't say good-bye?

What to do with all of this hate?
What to do when someone is planning your fate?

What to do with all the screaming and the crying?
What to do with all the shooting and the dying?

What to do when there's no one left?
What to do when you can't forget?

What to do when you're all alone?
What to do when there's nothing left, not even home?

What to do when everyone's dead on the ground?
What to do when nobody's left to utter a sound?

What to do when there's no more light?
What to do when there's nothing left but to fight?

What to do when there's nothing left but to be brave?
What to do when there's no one left to save?

What to do when they're at your gate?
What to do when all you can do is wait?

What to do? They've knocked down the door.
What to do? You're hiding under the floor.

What to do when you're filled with fear?
What to do when you're even afraid to shed a tear?

What to do?
What to do?
When all that's left is red on the ground,
And faces that are blue?


Maggie Wilhelm

Yom ha Shoah
Holocaust Remembrance
Springhill Avenue Temple
Mobile, Alabama
May 1, 2000

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Copyright © 2000, Margaret E. Wilhelm