Memories!



Do not think just follow,do not allow your mind the time,move,keep moving,simply watch your feet and continue.
Numb and weary,cold and hurting,shuffle,stumble,keep your balance,close your eyes and follow.
Sounds,smells,another shiver your teeth rattle,stomach rumbles loudly,but all it brings is harsh laughter.
Ankles raw,bleeding,tied together,length of rope rough and rasping,keep in step with the others,sting of whip bites deep.
Little ones are crying,old ones sigh but never complain,young ones too tired for fighting,fathers faces blank in hiding hatred.
Fear my first memory,grandmothers arms comfort me,heart quakes each time they approach,not natural but the only life I know.
Hacking coughs a constant sound,deep,tearing,clotted sound,grandmother moves among us all,face showing the strain,not able to help even one.
Bodies burned by fever,eyes red dry and hurting,skin dry and itchy,ribs showing through the skin,starved,kicked and beaten,harsh laughter out of place.
Do not think just follow,do not allow your mind the time,move,just keep moving,if one stumbles all fall,if we fall we are beaten,watch your feet and continue.
Numb,weary,cold,and hurting,sad it is the only life remembered,a four year old who has known no other,hunger,fear,and hurting!

as told by my grandmother!