The Butterfly Project

Students wrapped up National Poetry Month by reading a poem titled 'The Butterfly" by Pavel Freidmann. This poem is the inspiration for the Butterfly Project at the Houston Holocaust Museum.  The goal is to collect 1.5 million butterflies to represent each child who suffered as a victim of the Holocaust.  My students made butterflies today to add to that collection.  They are on display in the classroom until June, when they will be sent to the Houston Holocaust Museum to join the larger collection.  

The Butterfly

The last, the very last, 

So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow. 

Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing against a white stone...

Such, such a yellow 

Is carried lightly ‘way up high. 

It went away I'm sure 

because it wished to kiss the world goodbye.

For seven weeks I've lived in here,

 Penned up inside this ghetto 

But I have found my people here. 

The dandelions call to me

And the white chestnut candles in the court. 

Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one. 

Butterflies don't live in here, 

In the ghetto.

Pavel Friedmann 4.6.1942