Poetry Sunday: First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller

It isn't really a poem although it often gets characterized as one. It was written by a German Lutheran pastor in 1946 after the Holocaust and World War II. It is his confession of failure. Let us not fail to speak out against evil in our time.

First They Came

by Pastor Martin Niemöller

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.


Comments

  1. David M. Gascoigne,April 13, 2025 at 5:45 AM

    History has repeated itself, is repeating itself and will continue to do so until humans are expunged from the Earth. This simple poem has become well known and should be read by everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jabblogApril 13, 2025 at 6:19 AM

    This is such a poignant, telling poem. It is so easy to stand by, observe, and not become involved, but it takes courage to speak out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersApril 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM

      It does take courage and sometimes when you do speak out you get "renditioned."

      Delete
  3. AlanaApril 13, 2025 at 6:57 AM

    History rhymes, to paraphrase Mark Twain, and this poem speaks for our times.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lark April 13, 2025 at 10:03 AM

    This has long been one of my favorite poems/quotes. Because it's so true. We do need to speak up for others and against injustice. Thanks for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersApril 13, 2025 at 11:20 AM

      Because if we don't speak up for others, who will speak up for us?

      Delete
  5. thecuecardApril 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM

    Such great sentiments. We all need to speak out under such injustices. Thx for posting this.

    ReplyDelete

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