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EmailRemembering Sophie
a poem by:
Yvonne R. Silbermann Khan
May 1, 1994
Sophie Mottek Silbermann (1872-1940) died neglected and alone in the Berlin Jewish Hospital. Two of her children died in Concentration Camps. The only surviving son remained childless and never recovered from his losses. Her grand-daughter, Yvonne Silbermann Khan did survive and wrote this tribute.
It's a long time ago, on this bright May Day
almost a hundred years and a continent away
There, Sophie and David in a joyful anticipation
counted the days for the arrival and celebration
the birth of a son, their first born, in a new land,
safe and far away from all troubles in Poland.
Yes, long ago at that century's closure,
one can only speculate and vaguey expose
some glimpses of their memories' silence
still obvious to me, remains Sophie's brightness.
Sophie and David were blessed and accomplished
they were respected, successful, well stationed,
and with their first son's arrival,
they heartily welcomed life's renewal.
They raised their offsprings carefully,
instilled academics and culture evenly.
Three in number, they all did quite well
till wartime approached, bringing them hell.
With another century almost ended,
Sophie's memory is faintly blended
into the weave of a surviving few,
who miraculously escaped to renew
the fiber which was brutally damaged
soon after Sophie's life tragically ended.
Now, hatred destined her statistically to be
robbed, deprived - her death was not free.
Sons and daughters of Sophie
always remember that she,
positioned in her timely hierarchy
linked us into this century.
She and her children suffered and bled
it was faith, that to their murder led.
Remember our Sophie,
she is all we have had
and she still lives on
in you and me.
The last time I saw Sophie,
my grandmother,
I was a child of ten.
Now, that I am in my golden years
I carry a great fear
that she will die twice,
when I finally shut my eyes.
Please! Sons and daughters of Sophie
keep living for her and remember:
Remembering Sophie can keep you free!