POETRY

Hidden Vienna

In Wein the windows open in
rooftops subdivide
crooked lanes and palaces
of an Empire twice denied

haughty high overtly stuffed
denizens bow and sniff
about how popular they are
amid horse and dog shit whiff

disembowled late royals
are buried in the vault
in the name of Christendom
alleviates the fault
Bludgasse near St. Stephansplatz
still gleams a grisly stream
countless graves of Juden rot
along with Hitler’s dream

In Wein the windows open in
don’t let the secret out
Grus Gott! is the tired refrain
in case you’ve any doubt

m. landers 12/05