Niemöller Redux

by David Solway (August 2016)

First they built a mosque on my block, but that was OK by me

since I was tolerant of all religions, especially religions of peace;

 

Then they came for the dog, but I was not particularly disturbed

since it relieved me of thrice-daily walks;

 

Next they came for my driveway during Friday prayers

and that was fine too since they needed somewhere to park;

 

Then they came for my neighbour’s house at market-depressed prices

but I was not concerned since it wasn’t my house;

 

Next they began to patrol the streets and cordon off the district

but I could understand the desire to feel at home;

 

Then they came for my Broil King, my satellite dish and my lawn mower

but that was copacetic too since they needed to cook, watch TV, and keep a tidy yard;

 

Finally they came for me but that was not a problem

since I had already converted.

 

________________________
 

David Solway is a Canadian poet and essayist. His most recent volume of poetry, Installations, appeared in fall 2015 from Signal Editions. A partly autobiographical prose manifesto, Reflections on Music, Poetry & Politics, was released by Shomron Press in spring 2016. A CD of his original songs, Blood Guitar and Other Tales, appeared last summer. Solway’s current projects include work on a second CD with his pianist wife Janice and writing for the major American political sites such as PJ Media, FrontPage Magazine, American Thinker and WorldNetDaily. 

 

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