Polin History Museum of Me

By Michael Roque

The phantom of Warsaw

is a history of self—

There, but unseen

unless sought out.

Buried in Okopowa—

skeletal remains

the world collectively moved from.

Old friends,

Unfulfilled desires… dreams,

the Pehrspace Indie scene—

The entire LA cityscape

decomposed in a mass grave.

I’m modern Warsaw

built upon the ghetto

I once roamed.

Long burnt down

blown up

replaced with memorial markers

I walk by

without noticing.

In the center—

The Polin History Museum of Me.

My uprising,

downfall and rebirth.

I am Warsaw.

Then and now.

Editors’ note: From the Polin Museum’s website: "To preserve and recall the memory of the history of Polish Jews and to counteract antisemitism, discrimination, and exclusion by fostering mutual understanding and respect" – such is the mission of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. https://polin.pl/en/education-arch

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael Roque began writing poetry and prose while studying at Pasadena City College. He has been based in Tel Aviv since 2013. He is the author of Writing to a Raid Siren (Pomegranate Press). His work has appeared in literary journals including North Dakota Quarterly, The Queen’s Review, The Roanoke Rambler, Poetry Super Highway, and BlazeVOX. 

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