Lawrence Hall, HSG
Night of the Murdered Jewish Poets
12 August 1952
When a tyrant has completed his catalogue of hate
Sent thousands to the noose and millions to the pyre
He ponders fresh murders as he sits up late
Whom else can he summon to his satanic fire?
There is agony in his soul – someone must pay
Those scribblers of verse – now there is treason
Another list, a list, without delay!
Poets to the Lubyanka – I need no reason!
I listen, I hear my night-whispering muse:
“Death is upon you, death, but first, but first…
the Jews.”
