Kelly Rouse

10/21/14
Literature Response
HU2548
Where I Come from Poem (Liesels Perspective)
I am from Molching next to where the river runs, from Mein Kompf and
nasty soup Mama makes every day.
I am from the blackened basement where Max used to fight the Fhrer
with his weakened fists.
I am from Chamomile and Edelweiss, the Apfel and chestnut trees.
I am from books on my birthday, saukarl and saumench, from
Memingers and Hubermans, Hans and Rosa.
I am from the accordionists and linen ironers.
From rolling cigarettes, and late night story times with Papa.
I am from the hatred of the Jews, from the Aryan race, Hail Hitlers,
and the Nazi flag.
I'm from the train where my young brother died with his eyes wide
open, and the street where Papa regrettably fed bread to the old Jew.
From the Hubert Oval track, where Rudy Steiner charcoaled himself
black, running his little heart out, trying to be fast like Jesse Owens.
I am from the bombing that took everyone I loved away from me, from
the lonely accordion, and the deathly kiss on my best friends lips.