November sunset from my yard in Maine
This month’s poem is by Erich Kastner (1899-1974), a writer, poet, screenwriter and satirist. He wrote socially astute poetry often leavened with humor. He was drafted into the German army in 1917 and his experiences in war made him a committed pacifist. His books were burned by the Nazis. Kastner’s beloved children’s book Emil and the Detectives has been in print since its publication in 1928. This is from The Selected Poetry of Erich Kastner (1997), selected and translated by Moon Pie Press poets Ted and Ruth Bookey.
Fantasy for the Day After Tomorrow And when the next war begins the women thunder NO! and leave brothers, sons and husbands locked up and safe at home. They march in every land straight to the warriors' houses. Carrying whips in their hands they drag the bastards out and put them across their knees, these heroes who make our wars --the bankers, captains of industry, generals, the governmental whores. A lot of asses get whipped that day, the patriots shut their dismal jaws. In every land now, yowls of pain --but nowhere was there war! Elated they return to those they love, to brothers, sons and husbands, to tell them war is over! And the men? The men stare out of the windows and won't even look at the women...
Erich Kastner
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