Thank you for your comments - the poem is based on the photograph itself taken by an SS Soldier, which had 'The last jew in Vinnitsa' scrawled on the back.
It is believed that the town of Vinnitsa, of some 28,000 people (mostly Jewish) was completely eradicated by the Nazi's in the summer of 1941.
The man knelt infront of the mass grave is believed to be the very last of those executed, which I felt was a very powerful and desperately horrifying image, hence the inspiration for the poem.
Thank you again for your comments.
Comment is about Humanity Lost (blog)
Original item by Simon Austin
Kenneth Eaton-Dykes
Fri 22nd Mar 2013 17:51
Skillfully graphic, Very moving,
Comment is about Humanity Lost (blog)
Original item by Simon Austin
You very much bring the horror of the holocaust to life with your poem, Simon.
I'd agree with Dave that this is a very powerful poem.
Comment is about Humanity Lost (blog)
Original item by Simon Austin
Wow. The most powerful new poem I've read in a long time. Almost any words feel too glib. If only a few million young people in warlike nations could read this.
Comment is about Humanity Lost (blog)
Original item by Simon Austin
Harry O'Neill
Sat 23rd Mar 2013 16:00
Imaginatively, powerfully, and feelingly factual in the most true sense of that word when it is used literally.
I suppose any nightmarish resurrection of a modern Jewish extermination dictatorship would use enforced sterilisation, vascetomy, and abortion to `achieve` their ends. (The Nazis actually did it with the mentally defectives) A very timely reminder of what man is capable of.
Comment is about Humanity Lost (blog)
Original item by Simon Austin