2024-09-07

Yesterday outside of a church in Haarlem stood a statue honoring people who were killed by a bomb in 1944.

Across from the statue was a sign on which this poem was written. Here is how Google translated the girl’s poem.

Alone

I hear bangs and bombs
I wish they had never started this war

I wait all night
But for what?
For freedom, joy and equality

I feel more and more lonely
Without a mother and without a father

There is never any peace
And there is no one to comfort and kiss me

If only this had never happened
Then I would not have been sad now
If only my mother had stayed home
Then I would not have been sitting alone, in fear

Véronique Borgonjen
Choir School Haarlem, group 8