autumn in germany
it is not true
that it is not true
that’s how it was
first at first and then again
that’s how
it is kristallnacht:
in november 1938
first shattered
were windowpanes
then
again and again
human bones
of jews and blacks
of the weak and the sick
of sinti and roma
and poles of lesbians and
gays of and of
and of and of
and and
first a few then many
more and more:
arms lifted and joined in
applauded clapping
or stealthily gaping
as they and them
and he and she
and him and her
first once in a while
then again and again
again so soon?
a singular incident:
in november 1990
antonio amadeu from angola
was murdered
in eberswalde
by neo-nazis
his child born shortly after by a
white german
woman
her house
shortly after
trashed
ah yes
and the police
came so late
it was too late
and the newspapers were so short
of words it equaled silence
and on TV no picture
of this homicide
no comment on the incident:
in the newly united germany
that so much likes to
likes too much
to call itself re-united
it happened
that here and there
it was first houses
then people
that burnt down
first in the east then in the west
then
the whole country
first at first and then again
it is not true
that it is not true
that’s how it was
that’s how it is:
autumn in germany
i dread the winter
-- In blues in schwarz weiss (Blues in Black and White),
versão em inglês da autora, 1992.)