Mrs Cohen was a survivor of the holocaust. She came out of Auschwitz
in 1945. I meet her in 1948 when she was 67 years old.
She wanted to go swimming so we went to lake George. These are
my impressions of her feelings.
Mrs Cohen goes swimming in Lake George.
“Please darling hold my hand. I do not want to fall.
Oh the water is so clear like a mirror in the hall.
The water is cold. The water is like God isn’t it.
God lets us suffer doesn’t he. Oh it tickles doesn’t it.
Don’t let me go sweet heart I have not been swimming for years.
Can I stop for a moment to talk to God about my fears.
Okay the water is up to my ankles. Oh it is divine.
Such a hot day and this day is mine.
Even God will not take this day away from me.
Oh don’t splash me the water is cold.
Please promise you will not splash me.
When I was a little girl I used to splash my sister.
I am sorry I did that then. Now she is gone. I cannot say sorry.
Oh darling the water is up to my waist. I can paddle around now.
Oh look I am a fish. No I am a dolphin. Swimming like a dolphin.
Oh dear God this is joyous. Cold and warm at the same time.
Now the sun is going down and I am in America.