In memory of the children of Terezin, the Nazi concentration camp in German-occupied Czechoslovakia, who planted a sapling at their campsite. This year, Holocaust Memorial Day (Jan 27) coincides with the Festival of Tu Bishvat (Jan 27-28), with its annual Jewish tradition of planting trees. There is a wonderful story told about the children and their volunteer teachers at this camp. Six evocative Haikus by Kavita, exclusively for Different Truths.
Candles in windows Childhood angels on a tree Each branch a sweet child Saplings become trees Someday children will climb them The blue sky of hope Where is my mother? I want her to see the tree The teacher is here The tree asks water Share your rations happily The tree feels your joy Playing with the dolls Dancing and singing the sun See the tree in dreams The earth is not parched Tears of love have watered it Saplings grow from pain
Visual by Different Truths
In a career spanning over four decades, Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca has taught English in Indian colleges, AP English in an International School in India, and French and Spanish in private schools in Canada. Her poems are featured in various journals and anthologies, including the Journal of Indian Literature published by the Sahitya Akademi and the Yearbook of Indian Poetry in English. Kavita has authored two collections of poetry.
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