Literature Project #134 Pastor Martin Niemoller ‘First they Came'
Literature Project #134 days into my year long daily Literature project. ’
134 days into my year long daily Literature project. This box, originally a cigar box, was carved by my father when he was a youngster sometime between 1917—1925. He did it with a penknife patiently carving each little triangle to make this beautiful pattern. On the top of the box you can just see a swastika not at that time a Nazi symbol. The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, which means “good fortune” or “well-being." The motif appears to have first been used in Eurasia, as early as 7000 years ago, perhaps representing the movement of the sun through the sky. To this day, it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism. It is a common sight on temples or houses in India or Indonesia. Swastikas also have an ancient history in Europe, appearing on artifacts from pre-Christian European cultures. It was, however, appropriated by Hitler’s Nazis and remains today (along with the raised arm palm down Nazi salute) as a far-right emblem.
The poem is by Pastor Martin Niemoller and has words that we flawed human beings need very much to take to heart.
First They Came
Pastor Martin Niemoller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
This poem is a new one to me. Immensely powerful. I really like it.