for Heiner

I saw them enter the train
Loud, self-confident, drunk, abusive
I felt the fear consume us all

All heads look to the floor
Do not make eye contact and you are safe
Do not laugh, cry, speak or move
Become motionless, silent and invisible

They went directly to the dark man
I saw the boots, four boots pass by
They stood above the dark man’s wife
The tall one spit in her face

The dark man rises from his seat
I see his head hit the floor
I hear the dark man’s wife
I see the boots, four boots
Kicking with a steady rhythm
I feel the rhythm pulsate through my body

I want to do something to stop this
If only someone else would do something
Then I would stand up and help
But everyone remains silent, safe

I feel so much anger and hatred
I am so ashamed
I feel the rhythm of the boots
Louder and stronger now

I see my foot kicking the dark man’s head
Why do you come here to make trouble?
Why don’t you go away?
If you would just go away
This would not happen AGAIN
Why-don’t-you-just-go-away

Where were you?
What did you do to stop it?
Why didn’t you speak out in the beginning?
It could have been stopped in the beginning
Before it was too late
But everyone found some selfish motive
To support their silence
Their fear