1945 I saw the defeated German army marching
on a gritted road made by Russian prisoners of war.
It hadn't rained for a week, their uniforms
were dusty, no longer starched and stylish.
I saw some of my friends there and waved, was told
not to wave to the enemy. The defeated soldiers
were marched to the prisoner camp formerly
occupied by the Russians who were being sent home
to an uncertain future: having capitulated to
the enemy many, if not all, were executed.
Now so many years later the Germans are back on top
and it is deserved; they fell foul of the idea of a racist
ideology and paid the price. Hard working people their
place on the top table in Europe is assured.
