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Postcards from Berlin 2006

I
The U2 to Olympia Stadion

A pair of granite horsetamers
face the Langmarckehalle
flanking the western entrance.

In art is myth so ensouled:
a belltower sounds to the
selfless sacrifice of youth,

horsetamers to subordination
of the soul to the state. But
the order of the unified heart

embraces brokenness where
the only subordination
is to the care of the other.

II
The U2 to Alexanderplatz

Post-war concrete and glass
has replaced the splendour
of baroque statehouses.

In Mariankirche nails from
Coventry Cathedral have been
presented - Father forgive them

is enscribed on brass plate.
From a lonely tower
only the broken dare forgive.

Jimmy,

This is very good and presents imagery and emotion that those of us who traversed Berlin can appreciate. To those of you who don't know Jimmy-let me say that when traveling with him, one seldom lost one's way.

Let me just mention the one image that I'll always take from my own memory of Berlin-the pictures in the Reichstag from when it was wrapped by Christo and Jean-Claude. It was a ceremonial wiping away of the sins and according to our guide changed not only the perception of Berlin by outsiders but changed profoundly the way that Berliners looked at themselves and has done much to create the vibrant and exciting city that we were so fortunate to have chosen as the venue for our humble get together.

Here is a link to a website with pictures:

http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/wr.html

Good to have you here,

Joe

Welcome to the forum, Jimmy, our poet!