It's possible that the inspiration to write The Number on Her Arm started brewing all the way back in High School. I remember in 10th grade Social Studies class we studied World War II extensively with a unit on the Holocaust as part of that study. I don't think there was ever an instance of me raising my hand and announcing to the class, "Hey, my Grandparents are Holocaust survivors!" However, I do remember being overcome by inspiration to honor my grandparents when I was given the homework assignment of writing a fictional or nonfictional piece connected to World War II.
I remember knowing that I wanted to write a poem connected to my grandparents' experiences, but I hadn't really thought about what I would write prior to the time I worked on the assignment. I remember sitting down to write the night before the assignment was due and staring at a blank Word Document for quite some time. What's particularly amazing and memorable about that night is that after that period of blankness, suddenly, without any hesitation, the following poem about my grandmother poured out of me until it was completed. Click the following link below to read the poem...
It's clear that even though I've always been motivated to collectively honor both of my grandparents' experiences during the Holocaust, the image of my grandmother's tattoo has always been embedded in my mind. Her number continuously incites the need for me to tell her story. Back in 10th grade I was lucky enough to be able to personally give my grandparents a copy of this poem. I truly wish that I could give them both copies of The Number on Her Arm today.