Carol Dine

  OVER LIMOGES

  after Violette Szabo*

  Behind the lines, they catch me breaking their code.

  In Ravensbruck women's camp, they break my ribs,

  force open my thighs. They starve me, shear my

  long black hair. I am not a Jew. My cipher name is Louise.  

  On my back on the beating table. They lean in with

  sour breath: "Tell us, and then you can sleep." I will not tell,

  I whisper to Tania, my daughter. Tomorrow at dawn,

  l stand before the executioner. Behind my closed eyes,

  my parachute opens again, a white petunia floating over Limoges.  

  *Violette Szabo, agent with the French Resistance, was awarded

  the George Cross and the Croix de Guerre, bestowed posthumously.

  (Originally posted  November 18, 2010)

  To contact Carol Dine send an email to: Steve@stevebloompoetry.net  

  and he will pass it along for you.