With all of the fighting between the can’t-be-wrong people and the change people, these words resonate deep within me. ?
And there are 13 lines! 
?
When the Nazis came for the?communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the?social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the?trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the?Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,?there was no one left to speak out for me.
?
Sad but true. Great post! Happy T13!
A very well known quote from Pastor Niemoller, and well worth repeating, because it has a lesson for all times.
Yeah. Sad, but true.
tm
I agree…very sad and very true.
Thanks. It’s been years since I read this piece.
People hate confrontation…
It always impresses me how you find poems with 13 lines in them. These ones are profound and so telling – most people refrain from acting until it becomes ‘all-about-me’.
Wow, those were powerful words.
I think that one of the biggest problems in this world is that some people don’t give a damn about something unless it directly affects them. Thanks for posting this poem to point out the dangers in that kind of thinking.
I first encountered this as an impressionable college student. It lead me to doing some stupid things because I didn’t stop to check peoples motives before I stood behind them, but I still have a lot of respect for these 13 lines.
It’s amazing how much apathy there is today. Look at the last eight years. You are still my hero. {{{{{ Claudia }}}}}
monty
Profound
This is a great, very impressive 13
My 13 is all about ‘icky’ foods. Won’t you join me for a bite?!!!
Truer words have rarely been written. That poem always strikes a chord!
Marvellous lines everyone should read.
Excellent, I love it.
It is our silence in the face of oppression that speaks louder than any voice ever could.
Can’t help but think that no matter what end of the spectrum you’re on, you’d want to stop the bickering and just fix the crap, you know?
Like the 13 today.
NICE!
I’ve actually read this poem before, but had completely forgotten about it – thank you so much for reminding me!
Cheers!
Have an excellent Thursday.
I’ve always loved this. A high school history teacher had us read it and then asked us to apply it to our lives using groups we could identify with, it was an eye opening exercise. There are so many things we all are not, but we all are human and we need to stand together.
This is something to reflect upon. There’s a lot to be said about treating others the way we want to be treated.
We must remember it. In silence we become accomplices.
I’ve never read this before. It’s very powerful!
i’ve read that before somewhere. i wonder if there will ever come a day when this poem is no longer relevant. one can only hope!
Excellent and so true. I haven’t read this in years…
This is such an awesome poem, and unfortunately, it continues to resonate. Thanks for posting a timely reminder.
Very nice!
Scarily true, isn’t it? Makes me think. Thanks for the reminder!
I actually referenced this poem when discussing a situation with a friend. The question was whether or not to get involved. I said yes. The friend wasn’t so sure.
I won.
Those who do not learn from history will be forced to repeat it. I hope we never forget this lesson. I’d hate to see it repeated. My pastor has often quoted this poem. Thanks for sharing it here.
Wonderful post for T-13 … excellent reminder for us all!
Hugs and blessings,