Eye Witness

 

Inside my backpack bottle of water, a small apple

tissues for all the tears they deserve

a photocopied prayer for the dead.

Our guide, a young woman from the town.

 

We enter the gates, smaller than I thought, 

view exhibits, the hair, the bowls.

Why shaving brushes?

But no-one can say why. Only how.

 

Imagining my daughter’s face

I stumble from the children’s room.

Outside our guide wipes a tear away.

She has never seen it all before.

 

Around the courtyard for firing squads

boarded windows hid experiments;

female inmates heard but couldn’t see.

I cannot walk to the execution wall.

 

On the coach to Birkenau I eat my apple.

Martine from Berlin, Black American fiancé

at her side, nods at my gold Star

and suddenly we, the Outsiders, are a group.

 

We talk and talk, in the huts, on the ramp

beneath the gate, at the latrines.

She confides, I don’t like to speak German

here. But I want to say

 

I am proud to be German.

The endless green of Auschwitz

stretches in the midday Polish sun.

You should, I say.

 

Driving back to Krakow

we exchange emails, hugs.

Two years later, an invitation

to a Berlin wedding; Jews, Germans,

African Americans, all alive.

 

© Miriam Halahmy

 

 

 

Yarzheit candle - Jewish memorial candle to the dead. Yarzheit candle - Jewish memorial candle to the dead.

Comments from young people about ILLEGAL and HIDDEN.

We recently read Illegal and Hidden and ABSOLOUTLEY ADORED THEM!!

Ella and Orli, 12 years.

Illegal was absoloutley amazing, and I really did love it. You wrote it so well, and I couldn't put it down! I read it all in a day - I can honestly say it is one of my favourite books - and being a total bookworm I've read millions!!! :)
Ella,  12yrs 
Ella and Orli at Alyth Ella and Orli at Alyth

Illegal is a gripping book. I was hooked on each page and could not wait to read on. I think this is Miriam’s best book so far and I would say it is suitable for any age. There was a lot of action and it made my mind think ahead.

Matthew, 17 yrs.

Matthew at Illegal launch Matthew at Illegal launch

 

A real page turner ..... amazing plotline. Never a dull moment. As soon I read Illegal I bought Hidden which turned out to be just as good.

The characters in Illegal are really believable. It’s like you are reading a story about your own life. My favourite bit was when Lindy was on Karl’s motorbike with Sean because at this point the book was un- put- downable. There are many other good things about this book but I cannot list them all.

Joseph Helm, 10 years

 

I very much enjoyed Hidden and it made me think about asylum seekers and refugees. Alix and Samir inspired me very much!

Miriam Summerfield, 13 yrs.

I really enjoyed your book, it made me think about other people in other countries more. Can't wait to read ILLEGAL.

Holly Parkes.

Hidden is a book about a serious issue written in a light and entertaining way but with enough gravity to be a real eye-opener into the world of immigration. It left me thinking way after the last page. A very enjoyable read, I would recommend it to literally anyone.

Yeme Onoabhagbe, 17 yrs.

I very much enjoyed Hidden  and  if I was you I would sign it for every book in every school so they can remember who wrote the book and how amazing that person  is at writing such an amazing book. I found it so interesting.This is a book review for Hidden.
Lucy Crawford. Portsmouth.

With Lucy at Ports Lit Quiz With Lucy at Ports Lit Quiz

I liked this book a lot as it has a very original subject which I hardly knew about. I would recommend it to any friend.

Jess Rodnight, 12 yrs.

Amazing book, I would recommend it to everyone. A real page turner. Go and buy it now. 

Jad Faki, 13 yrs

Hidden addresses one of the most current debates in the UK today - immigration and asylum seekers. Miriam addresses this with flare and to top it all its based on our home town - Hayling Island. Miriam Halahmy is truly a magnificent author. She makes you think and think.

Phoebe Ridgway, 14 yrs.

Phoebe, Hayling College. Phoebe, Hayling College.

How did you link an Iraqi young man called Mohammed to a relatively unheard of island called Hayling?

Jordan Shortman,

15 yrs.

Interview for the Hayling Islander.

I am not much of a reader but I read pretty much the whole book in a day....The story was really good!

Ellie, 14 years.

Although I am more into dark and mysterious books I thought that this book gave me an insight into a topic I do not know well. I do know Hayling very well and I was wondering whether this was based on a true story?

Jesse, 14 years

No Jesse, this is not a true story, but there are many true bits to it, as told to me by asylum seekers. I am glad you enjoyed the book.

Miriam Halahmy