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Dresden

*A HORST WESSEL POEM*

The bombs fell down on Dresden
And so many other tragic cities.
Tens of thousands died
In agony and terror.
And the world does not forget.
Instead, it celebrates the death
Of countless innocent children
By building statues and giving medals
To the murderers.

   

Author notes

It is worth remembering, in the month that there have been world-wide commemorations of Auschwitz, that many other people died terrible deaths in WWII. On the nights of 13-14 February 1945, as the Red Army advanced into Germany, the RAF and the USAF totally flattened Dresden, the "Florence of the Elbe". Dresden had little military significance and was full of refugees fleeing the Soviets. The most conservative estimate is that 35,000 were burned alive. The most realistic estimate is c. 50,000. In two nights. The bodies were piled high in the streets. The slaughter was intentional and unnecessary as the war was coming to a close and Britain and the USA have never apologised for this war crime. It was a punishment, no more, no less. As part of the hypocrisy and as an indicator of how the victors write history, a march on Dresden to commemorate the tragedy was painted by the media as a neo-Nazi revival meeting.

If you are feeling frivolous, go to allpoetry.com/poem/1046234
but
if you are feeling serious, go to
allpoetry.com/poem/1445077 .
Written January 27th, 2005

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Comments

1 - 30 of 30
  • I A Muse Myself
    March 1
    Edit | Reply
    Hitler was one of the most evil men in history.

    He ordered the mass genocide of 6 million Jews and was pretty much responsible for kicking off World war II.

    Although, on the plus side, if he hadn't have done all that there would be no Call of Duty: World at war


    • Edna Sweetlove
      March 1
      Edit | Reply
      The poem is NOT about Adolf Hitler. It is about the British and Americans who were no better morally for destroying beautiful cities and murdering hundreds of thousands. Wakey wakey.


  • Poetic Tasha Moderators member
    November 10, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    good write, but this is not what i was looking for.

    Tasha

    • Edna Sweetlove
      November 11, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      I suppose you would prefer something celebrating American bravery in unarmed killing women and children Hiroshima or Baghdad style.

      • Poetic Tasha Moderators member
        November 11, 2007

        Edit | Reply
        no need to be rude, i liked the write, but i clearly stated in the rules i didn't want politics or your opinion on war stories

        ps im not american I am Canadian...hence why it was a Rememberance day contest and not a memorial or veterans or whatever they call it.

        • Edna Sweetlove
          November 11, 2007

          Edit | Reply
          I wasn't rude. I just get tired of American bombast, aggressiveness and bigotry. My congratulations on your civilised choice of nationality. Incidentally I attended a Remembrance Sunday concert here in London at which John Foulds World Requiem (written 1921) was performed. It was dedicated to all people of all nationalities who died needlessly in war.

          • Poetic Tasha Moderators member
            November 11, 2007
            Edit | Reply
            i concur with your first statement

            im glad im more tolerable now that you know im Canadian actually my mum is from london, i was just there this summer visiting some family...


  • Starswhispers silver member
    November 10, 2006
    Edit | Reply

    Very good.

    Well Dresden is a gloomy memory when the air was burning so hot that oxygene disapeared and the air caught fire absolutly unnecessary at that stage of the war just like Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The probleme is that as said by La- Fontaine "la raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure" the reason of the strongest is always the best and if it is not ... nobody dare to talk. No matter the ennemy unecessary death should be avoided... this is call humanity but where are we now?
    Very good.


  • williamstown silver member
    February 22, 2006
    Edit | Reply
    You can give me some stick...as a "paid up member" of Bomber Command RAF at that time


  • AmoreEMorte
    September 16, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I hate murders, but I love revenge, Oh this world tis but a place of tragic irony and sick logic...I hate it so. nice write though, you earn applause...


  • keyman7
    April 5, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    This piece is awesome and very powerful, but I'm not up to date enough with WW 2 history to know what exactly you are talking about. I do like this write though.


  • venom7984
    March 31, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I liked this alot. Being an infantryman, I totally disagree. But I admire how straight forward you are.
    great write


  • masterblaster gold member
    March 30, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I came back to read this again, this is the serious Edna and I like this side of your poetry you put in a few words what others would need a book to do, all the best in the comp ,hugs Di

  • wasabipea
    February 20, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Clearly both sides in any war are responsible for wrong doing, it is the nature of war. We try to remember the victors, and the victors force us to remember, while the losers fall to the wayside. Nice message.


  • Piston gold member
    February 19, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for a very eye-opening poem! In war, people have to be painted as "good guys" or "bad guys" What the Allies did in WWII was unforgiveable, Stalin murdering 20 million Russians, The U.S. holding Japanese in prison camps,etc....yet the these countries were known as the "good guys" I can't begin to imagine what feelings you have when you read about WWII in the history books, and the "neo-Nazi revival" I hope you find peace one day with all of this, though I cannot blame you if you keep fighting for what you believe. Eventually, the people will listen. Thank you for sharing with us.


  • cosmicrose
    February 19, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    And lest we never forget it... the REAL St. Valentine's Day Massacre! So sad that we have the audacity to wonder why we are so hated... totally oblivious to our accomplice in the suffering we meet out progressively as well our absurd hypocrisy.

  • Edna Sweetlove
    February 3, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I like all the above comments. It's important to see the whole spectrum of war's victims. I don't think it's one sided. There's lots of sides. Thanks to all!
    Edited on Mar 02, 1:33 p.m. because ''.

  • masterblaster gold member
    February 3, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    You have a good point but on the other side it was the same, the bombing of Dresden was tragic, but so was the death of six million jews,so where do we go from ?,I dont think man will ever change, greed, and blood lust, they dont seem to ever get the message,this was a good read, althou I felt a little one sided, good write and good flow, well done.all the best


  • Danna Hobart
    February 3, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Yes, the city was bombed in February 1945, even though the end of World War II was in sight. It was not well defended, and the goal was to create a fire storm. It is said that people melted and caught fire in the resulting furnace conditions. It has remained a subject of controversy all these years. I do not celebrate any acts of war, because the loss of life is not justifiable in my mind. This is a strong poem, well written.


  • Edna Sweetlove
    February 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Liebe Chainwall
    Danke schoen liebling


  • Walking Wounded
    February 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I am unfamiliar with these events, but you portrayed them well here. It really was short and profound. Good wirte

  • Edna Sweetlove
    February 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for your good wishes - fyi, the architect of the destruction of Dresden, Air Marshall Harris (known as Bomber Harris!) has a statue to him erected outside the House of Commons in London. This is deeply offensive to the descendants of the thousands he killed.


  • glazecovered
    February 1, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    This was straightforward and harsh. I can see and appreciate your point of view, however I do not feel I know enough about the issue itself to discuss it at any level. Regarding the expression of your thoughts - I think you have written a great poem that opens up the door for further discussion on the matter.
    Good luck in the contest.
    ~Anastasia

  • Buchan
    January 28, 2005
    Edit | Reply

    excellent

    I listen to words of mans inhumanity to man. You write a poem of thought. I suppose it depends where you stand and what you believe . I was in Vienna and saw the Gestapo H.Q which ran a sad quiver through me for the poor souls that were murdered.
    Your poem provokes thought and has a point of view .Many have the freedom of thought it depends what we do with that thought.
    I wish you peace in the future in mind and body....Buchan


  • crystaldust gold member
    January 28, 2005
    Edit | Reply

    Tremendous and to the point

    crystaldust 28-01-05 12:15
    Glad someone other than me has made this point. I've been making it for more years than I care to remember.

    Perhaps you will get through to what I think is your generation better than I've been able to get through to mine. I sincerely wish you luck in doing so. It's an excellent poem, definitely to the point with an anger running all through it.The free verse style suits it very well. Rhyme of any kind would have made it too easy to read and would have taken the edge off it. Really tremendous poem, this. Thank you


  • barutha
    January 28, 2005
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    yes very frank, i like it. no bones about, and all that/.


  • FireGeck0
    January 28, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    What can I say? I agree with you wholeheartedly. Short, but directly to the point which is brutally honest. Something this world needs more of.


  • Edna Sweetlove
    January 27, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Bitter but timely.

1 - 30 of 30