Mensch in Not
 
Outside die Kaufhalle, November 1989

Mensch in Not. This written on a card propped up
beside its author, where he has staked his claim
to one or two square yards of prime commercial
downtown Frankfurt. And that must be his dog, whose
noble profile resembles that of one of
Dürer's soulful Christs, sublimely sorrowful.
What must they think, these visitors from the east
bearing their oranges back to their Trabants?
We do not have this phrase, but we should. What more
can be said, what more is needful? Mensch in Not.

David Callin

If you have any thoughts about this poem, David Callin  would be pleased to hear them