the six million

1948: Jews
-Adrienne Rich
A mother’s letter, torn open
in a college mailroom:
…some of them will be
the most brilliant, fascinating
you’ll ever meet
but don’t get taken up by any clique
trying to claim you

–Marry out, like your father
she didn’t write      She wrote for     wrote
against him

It was a burden for anyone
to be fascinating, brilliant
after the six million
Never mind just coming home
and trying to get some sleep
like an ordinary person