Melting Numbness

>poem<

Melting Numbness

When my American host mom
visited the Camp,
she cried.

I want
to cry
too.

Please, God—
let me cry.

Let my people cry.
Let it be
an ocean.

Let it not stop
until it melts, softens
the layers of:
denial,
avoidance,
suppression,
fear,
shame,
guilt,
disbelief—

until we arrive
at compassion,
at acceptance,
at accountability,
and ownership—

that this is our heritage.

Then—
let us exhale
our held breath

and live.
Not more.
Not less.