I was walking on the road near my grandfather’s farm
I said hello to my friends Helmut and Vera as we passed on the road
Just then we heard gunshots from and automatic weapon
We saw Nazi soldiers killing people at the edge of the road
They made them line up in groups as the others were made to watch
They pushed them into a large grave which had been dug behind them
We hurried quickly along our ways, careful not to be seen

I saw Helmut and Vera a few days later
When I mentioned what had happened they pretended not to understand
They said they had not been on the road and had not seen any shooting
I was astounded by their reactions
We had been friends since we were children
Why would they lie to me, of all people?
When I questioned them they became angry and left

Vera sent a note saying they would not see me again
She wrote I should not make up such lies to discredit Germany
The truth was, there were no soldiers, no shooting
I see things in an entirely wrong way
I should reconsider the lies I was telling and tell the real truth

I was confused about the certitude with which they presented their fantasy
I wondered if I was crazy and really imagined the shooting
Perhaps it was a dream that was so real I believed it
I couldn’t accept that telling the truth was wrong
I couldn’t bring myself to say it was a lie
I knew it was no dream, it would only be easier to say it was
I never spoke to Helmut and Vera again