BERLIN. - "Nazi leaders, realizing that Nazism is losing ground, are attempting to divert attention from their failure by campaigns against Jews, Catholics and members of Stahlhelm." - Cable News
Supposing I should come to you
And say to you, "Good day to you.
I have no quarrel with you, but I've rather flunked my job,
And I must divert attention,
So I thought I'd like to mention
That, in manner rather brutal, I must bash you on the nob."
Would you reply politely, in a fashion sweetly meek?
Or would your mood be critical and snarky, so to speak?
Supposing I said to you,
"Good morning, sir. I'm scorning, sir,
The use of any subterfuge: truth may not be abused.
But a certain noisy faction
Of my mob requires distraction,
And I seek a counter-irritant to keep the boys amused.
So, since you are quite defenceless, I must kick you in the slats."
Do you think we might see eye to eye, as fellow democrats?
If, on the other hand, I said,
"See here, my man! I fear, my man,
I much dislike your style of face! You're small and mild and weak.
I admit you cannot harm me,
But my people's threats alarm me;
So in efforts to divert them, I shall biff you on the beak.
If you resist my action, I'll be most annoyed with you."
Do you think you could appreciate my novel point of view?
Suppose I then man-handled you
And battered you and scattered you
In pieces o'er the landscape, all for "patriotic" ends --
If, so hap, one may term any
Such method made in Germany --
Would you refuse to squeal or seek the aid of outside friends?
Not even if I told you it was for the common good,
And so held the boys together? No? I hardly thought you would.
First published in The Herald, 14 August 1935
Author reference sites: C.J. Dennis, Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian Poetry Library
See also.
