I came to the cities in a time of disorder . . .

Respect member, Adam Johannes, sent us this short extract from a poem by socialist playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht, that speaks eloquently about these scoundrel times that we are living through . . .

I came to the cities in a time of disorder

When hunger ruled.

I came among men in a time of uprising

And I revolted with them.

So the time passed away

Which on earth was given me.

I ate my food between massacres.

The shadow of murder lay upon my sleep.

And when I loved, I loved with indifference.

I looked upon nature with impatience.

So the time passed away

Which on earth was given me.

In my time streets led to the quicksand.

Speech betrayed me to the slaughterer.

There was little I could do.

But without me

The rulers would have been more secure. This was my hope.

So the time passed away

Which on earth was given me.

Bertold Brecht, from "To Posterity"

Full poem here: http://www.eecg.toronto.edu/~flouris/docs/brecht1.html