Remembrance

The siren sounds, the traffic stops,
Pedestrians all pause;
The country screeches to a halt,
Not ‘cause of any laws.

It’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.*
In Israel, they expect
A silent stoppage as a show
Of ultimate respect.

Six million people labeled Jews
All suffered ‘til they died.
Survivors tell their stories
Yet the hatred won’t subside.

Two minutes’ time is all it takes
For life to stop and yet,
We shouldn’t need reminding
Of what no one should forget.

*Yom Hashoah in Hebrew