"There Is More Than One Way to Starve." - Sherman Alexie

Earlier this year I visited Dachau Memorial Site, just outside Munich, Germany.

Earlier this month we watched again (with son) Schindler's List.

Earlier this week I read to my son "An Indian Education" by Sherman Alexie, which is a brilliant piece and contains the sentence in the subject line.)

Yesterday I finished listening to THE OLD BROWN SUITCASE by Lilian Boraks-Nemetz, narrated by Sofia Newman (thank you, SYNC free summer audiobooks program!)

Which brings me to today, Poetry Friday. Please visit globe-trotting Sylvia at Poetry for Children for Roundup!

My offering is Part 6 of Alexie's 7-part poem "Inside Dachau" It's powerful in its straightforward simplicity, and it's helping me to find my own words as I attempt to write about how I, a white 21st century American woman, relate to to these (and other) holocausts.

6. after we are free

If I were Jewish, how would I mourn the dead?

I am Spokane. I wake.

If I were Jewish, how would I remember the past?

I am Spokane. I page through the history books.

If I were Jewish, how would I find the joy to dance?

I am Spokane. I drop a quarter into the jukebox.

If I were Jewish, how would I find time to sing?

I am Spokane. I sit at the drum with all of my cousins.

If I were Jewish, how would I fall in love?

I am Spokane. I listen to an Indian woman whispering.

If I were Jewish, how would I feel about ash?

I am Spokane. I offer tobacco to all of my guests.

If I were Jewish, how would I tell the stories? 

I am Spokane. I rest my hands on the podium.

If I were Jewish, how would I sleep at night?

I am Spokane. I keep the television playing until dawn.

If I were Jewish, how would I find my home?

I am Spokane. I step into the river and close my eyes.