Holy Mountain Suicide
The psychic pain of the millions slain
Drew no compassion from the allied states
The psychic pain as Europe became
One monstrous grave
Under Nazi reign
“I know how little human life is worth, especially today”
A wife and child lost in Warsaw
A life immersed in the documents of atrocity
The spectre of endless suffering
The last desperate plea for mercy and meaning
“I cannot be silent and I cannot live
while the remnants of the Jewish people of Poland… Are perishing”
“By my death I wish to express my strongest protest
Against the inactivity with which the world is looking on
And permitting the extermination of Jewish people.
But as I was unable to do anything during my life,
Perhaps by my death I shall contribute to destroying the indifference
Of those who are able and should act.”*
[*All quotations taken from a letter written by Szmul Zygelbojm
before committing suicide in 1943.
It was addressed to the premier of the Polish government-in-exile.
Translated from Polish.]
