The White Rose Remembered
[Ode to Hans and Sophie Scholl]

On February 18, 1943, twenty-five-year-old Hans Scholl and his
younger sister, Sophie [both Christians], along with other members
of the White Rose resistance movement who'd written, published,
and distributed anti-Nazi leaflets at universities throughout Germany,
were arrested. Tried by a people's court, they were unjustly
condemned and beheaded on February 22, 1943. As the
executioner's axe was lifted over his head, Hans shouted, "Long
live freedom!"

What were you thinking on that fateful day
When you were discovered basking in the Light of Truth,
Where no darkness could be found in you?
Fearless of evil, your spirit cried out,
But no one heard you or came to your aid --
That is, no one but the One Who'd filled your heart with perfect peace.
While the whirlwind of brutality swept by, you stood faithful;
Fear could not hold you down.
Your spirit cried out the more, saying,
"Christians, break the silence! You must break the silence!"
Even as your tear-stained leaflets scattered in the wind,
You remained true to your deep inward convictions.
Both you and your sister, Sophie, would
Stand bold and unashamed 'til the very end.
And your compatriots, inspired by your great sacrificial love,
Would soon join you in captivity, torture, and even death.
No, Hans, though he tried, the enemy of your soul
Could not silence the "Eternal" beating of your heart.
To this day, it is still heard through those lives
Who have counted the cost for freedom's sake.
Evil could not triumph over good!
Your sweet fragrance lingers on!

"Save Me L-rd or Else I Die!"

Tears flow freely from the valley,
From the valley of the heart,
Where all hurts and pains are suffered,
Where all joy seems to depart,
Where is felt deep dark depression,
Where is heard the sounds of woe,
Where one's soul is lost and dying,
Where one's life is sunken low.
When one cries in desperation,
"Save me L-rd or else I die",
Then pure Light shatters all darkness
And Salvation draweth nigh.

Redemption's Sweet Song

Across the sands of time,
Dancing to love's sweet song,
Are found two hearts united as one forever.
As the Light of Glory burst forth
And the angels bowed in reverence
And the wind whispered, "holy, holy, holy!",
As the two danced barefoot upon the mountains.
And love's Eternal Flame burned away the night,
Leaving a trail of sweet fragrance behind.
And the wind, gently blowing, fanned the flame
And the flame became an all consuming fire
And Jerusalem, unveiled, was welcomed by her King
And love was warm, sweet, and good
And fallen tears had ceased and were forgotten
And longed for peace finally invaded the land
And Redemption's Sweet Song played on and on
And Jerusalem smiled.

KRISTALLNACHT,
THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS:
November 9-10, 1938
Poem by Eva

The uneasiness felt throughout the land
Did not point to "all was well".
Soon, the evil that was lurking
Like a cold, dark blanket fell.

Then was heard life's shattering sound
Throughout the German nation:
An horrific sound that stirred up
Hell's minions to exhilaration.

Rocks crashed through Jewish shop windows,
With glass shattering everywhere.
Synagogues were burnt fast to the ground
And homes were pillaged without a care.

They pleaded for mercy and for justice
From those who'd desired them dead.
While their neighbors, in deafening silence,
Quickly turned away their heads.

It was a night unlike all other nights
For Israel's sons and daughters
Just like sheep, they were led away,
Earmarked for the slaughter.

Kristallnacht was the very spark
that ignited the Holocaust,
A great and unspeakable evil
Where 6,000,000 Jewish lives were lost.

The entire world stood guilty
Of this crime against humanity
Hitler, the Nazis, the Church and the Nations
All played a role in this atrocity.

The bystanders were the largest group
Indifferent, filled with shame,
Their passivity and their silence
Helped ignite HaShoah's flame.

The lesson here speaks loud and clear.
Evil will yet prevail.
History will repeat itself
When good men, by their silence, fail.