I read Anne's diary as a 12 year old schoolgirl, it completely changed the way I think about other people, I learned from Anne that all over the world people are the same, no matter about race or colour or culture, they have the same hopes and dreams, the same aspirations, the same failings and weaknesses to be sure. People hurt the same and they can be crushed in the same way.
Anne's voice rises up as the voice of the blackbird does each morning and evening, she has the precious gift of communication, her thoughts and perhaps more inportantly her feelings and in communicating she has the power to change the way people think and treat their fellow human beings.
*
When I dwelled upon her diary entry above I was inspired to write a little poem THE CHESTNUT TREE (tomorrow I am free) as a tribute and a salute to Anne by way of saying thank you.
*
This my chosen spot
I may lay me down
gaze can only upwards be
filled afresh with hope
which grew upon my chestnut tree
tomorrow I am free
*
No clouds in my sky
nor shadow troub'ling me
gracefully glides the seagulls
silvering droplets
sparkling on my chestnut tree
tomorrow I am free
*
As long as this is so
and if my eyes may see
my heart cannot the be sad
for me the sun shines
through my glistening chestnut tree
tomorrow I am free.
