By John Snider

sniderrex68@gmail.com

The White Rose

The name of a German student group who resisted the Nazis and dropped their leaflets from the highest floor of the University.  They were discovered, taken, and then executed by guillotine.

Black and Brown columns marching

A suffocating mass

Surrendered will

Mortgaged soul

Winter without end

Darkness never lifting

A stillborn Spring

Still their words like white petals float down:

“unthinking cowardly mob. . .”

“shallow herd of opportunists. . .”

“hiding from sun and light. . .”

The blade descends as well

But before its thud

“Es lebe die Frieheit!” *

The air charged–the echoes ever resounding

Leaning far out the window

Their hands caressing the sky

Feel the fullness of the air

Our public praise mere sentimentality

Our claim for future courage just equivocation

The blade, the air, their words

Indict us now!

Lift up from the vulgar mass

“Rend the cloak of apathy”

Seek the highest floor

And cast White Roses into the light

*Long Live Freedom