They Weren't all that Different, Really

Inspired by the plotline of the book and film "Boy in the Striped Pyjamas"

 

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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

 

 

 

Watch an exclusive clip from the movie 
* Reference
Info on the book and film here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_in_the_Striped_Pyjamas

 

 

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To a little boy in a new house

So much smaller than the old

Home which he had left to be here

Of which there was little to do to be bold

No five floors to be explored

Just Daddys new job in the camp next door

Where all wore pyjamas all the day

That were striped, and a boy he met

With whom he wanted to play

Only to be told they were opposite

And so play they could not do

For the boy whose father worked there

He was not a Jew.

 

One day he went to explore

And saught at the end

To wear the pyjamas

And search for the lost dad of the friend

Only for the camp section to be on a march to be sent

Unon the very hour

And they boy thought it indeed strange

To end up in the dark in a communal shower

 

His parents could not find him

And his name they did shout

Only to find his clothes be the camp fence

And then did figure out

And great was their grief then

And their regret did begin

And the father understood his job

Was so great a sin...

 

Author's Note

The rhythm is all crazy here... just kotting as Im thinking... will edit to make better...

Reviews

[Gandré]

This is something we - here in Deutschland - never will forget.. I'd say this is a half rhyme structure, which you used as a function to distinguish between the past and now....your narrative poem by using the word - Jews - is heightening the expression without prejudicial intent I interpreted this as expression of value. Once in English poetry the use of rhyme in the end words was in order to compensate for the sometimes unsatisfactory quality, I have read this somewhere, but your quality here is great, it is the way how everything is put together. in my opinion, no need to change. great write.

[Siobhan Welch]

I like this work very much. The rhythm seems completely appropriate, considering the content. The world of which you speak was akilter, without rhyme or reason. It's most touching in its starkness.

[writingRhonda]

It's amazing how people feel like segments of their lives can be separated from other parts of their lives. Economic choices and moral choices end up affecting other people; tragically, children can be affected by the actions of parents (or others).

When I read this, I felt . . . so sorry for the parents, . . . a taste of the fear of this boy, and . . . anger that people could be so filled with hatred that they'd be willing to exterminate others. I think that if that was your purpose in writing this poem, then this poem is definately a success.

[J]

A stunning portrayal of the innocence and truth of youth! I really don't much concern myself with flow and rhythm and that sort ~ though I am sure a true poet does. What the words induce me to feel is my guage for fine writing. And this is it.

Brutal and tragic realism. Well done!

j

[Starsong]

A few typos, but nothing major. The rythym is not bad, just differant. Could be a good think because it forces the reader to slow down. The only major problem I see is the line "Only for the camp section to be on a march to be sent" that was difficult to work through. I don't know how exactly you meant it to sound, but it is confusing as written. On the positive side, this is a very interesting poem, I do like the rythym and the ending is, as melanie said, amazing.

[Emily B]

I think it's perfect as is. I'm not sure a real regular rhythm would tell the same story. And what a story!

[Nely Amorim]

I couldn't avoid stumbling over the typos but as you said, you'll get to it. I think it was an amazing ending. It did indeed affect alot more people than just one persecuted people. Thank you for sharing this and I'll be checking out this movie and book you refer to .

[Blade & Blood (The ..]

This was sad. :( I'm well aware that the Holocaust didn't just take the lives of Jews alone. This poem does an excellent job of acknowledging that.

Very well-done. BTW, the rhyme isn't all bad. ;)

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood