WELCOME

TO BLACK BUTTERFLY

 Kristallnacht

Like a million bells tinkling in some distant Hell
the window shattered, splintered, fell
on to the street where Ira Levin stood
purveyor of Kosher meat and other food.

He does not try to flee but simply stands
His wife scoops up the glass in blooded hands,
and crying falls down to her knees
now God, is the time to send the Maccabees.

The crowd are ordinary folk that they once knew
Who now turn away and spit the vile word Jew!
And as they move from shop to shop and house to house
They shatter glass, daub slogans "Juden Raus"

An insane pestilence spreads through out the city
No sympathy in angry eyes, no pity.
No shame except of those who hear them shout
Juden Raus! Juden Raus! Jews Get out!

Shattered glass covers the city streets like snow
They beat, they spit and shouting on they go
Their carrion hoards gaining numbers, gaining pace
to daub another house with hated star or grotesque foreign face.

And no one knew or sensed what was to come.
Like empty window frames the victims dumb
Fathers mothers, children, husbands, wives
bend to the task of mending shattered lives

And all the world is silent as this comes to pass
it does not hear the sound of broken glass.
Nor will it hear six million souls in pain
It can not bear the burden of that shame.