She walked into the dark room
Stone walls, stone floor
Tired from the crowded train ride
She had turned her head for a moment
Had become separated from family
She knew her name was on a list
Surely in no time they would reunite
There were other women with her
Young girls and children too
But none that she knew
No familiar faces
All though, unsure of exactly where they were
They moved into a large room
With their packages, their suitcases, their meager belongings
No place to sit, no rest room in sight, no window
She put her hands in her coat pocket
Looked down, her eyes locking on the patch
She remembered her mother’s hands stitching
Roughly sewn of coarse material
Remembering her mother’s face looking so grim
The group waited a long time in silence
Until women in uniform arrived
Stating there were showers available for all.
The women announced food would be given as well
After the shower
She was indeed hungry and indeed ready for something to drink
Even if it was water from a shower head.
They all complied with instructions to undress
Then stepped into the shower area,
looking forward to promised clean clothes and lunch
Yet gas enveloped the room
Mothers grasped their young
Neighbor clung to neighbor
She stood alone.
Poetry Road 