"That Was Only the Beginning" Alisha Crane Lippman Day School Grade 7 Sarah Greenblatt, Instructor The shattered glass, The cries for help, The screams of agony and pain, The beatings delivered for no reason- Other than being Jews. So many arrests In so little time. It was a night of everything being lost. I was only ten and I was there. I woke to the sound of broken glass, Screams from outside. I called for my mother, But she didn’t answer. I called for my father, But he didn’t answer. I heard crying- My mother’s crying, Then I heard her scream! I ran outside to my mother. Smelled the smoke before I saw it. My father’s shop was on fire! I saw the firemen standing- Standing and doing nothing. The flames eating the store One section at a time. I couldn’t find my father anywhere. I was so scared! Then I heard the shout, "Why am I being arrested?" It was my father Being taken away. He tried to fight the arrest, But he got beaten. My father wanted to know his crime. The question was answered,  "Because you’re a Jew." I saw my friends’ fathers beating up Jews. I saw Nazi soldiers beating up Jews- Only Jews. I felt like I was still in a dream. A terrible dream. I slipped on a puddle of blood, By that time I was crying too. All I could think was- I’m only ten. I found my mother on the ground bleeding, She said she would be fine, not to worry. How could I not worry? What should I do? I ran to find my father Nowhere to be found. They had taken him away! Who is going to help us? We need him. I saw my aunt and ran to her. I told her my mother was hurt, And father was taken away. We went back to my aunt’s house, Exhausted, I lay by my mother, Who was in terrible pain Huddled on the bed. I gently put my arms around her. We barely slept. The next morning was so bright. We looked outside At all the destruction- Buildings, shops, Our precious synagogue, All that was left was Rubble and wisps of smoke, I couldn’t help myself- I cried. We went outside and into town. The men that were arrested were marching- Marching- Double file- Soldiers on either side. I saw my father. I wanted to run to him but, My aunt held me back. There was nothing I could do. Later I realized that night Was only the beginning- A beginning that Never seemed to end. I wished it was all over. That night of terror Would haunt me forever. It was the night that everything was lost. I was only ten and I was there.