Broken City 1945

(Composed in front of St. Lorenz’s Nuremberg)

What did they do to you
old honourable lady
in the winter of inhumanity

Capitulative destruction
the city, like a garment, wears
mourning stones

Skeleton cathedral
pierced by sun rays
prayers in vain

Dear God! The very houses seem dead;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!