George Grosz: a poem by rob lane wilder

a genius not averse to flopping
headlong into human folly,
shining light on everything,
grosz a prophet of his day.

a glorious insightful visionaire
who’d positively shine,
his canvas putting needles on
civilization in decline.

in dramatic ways he’d frame injustice,
brushstrokes large and bold…
grosz unequaled social critic
prescient, foretold.

pointing up the truth around
the worst degeneration,
bureaucrats misguided,
moneyed interests waving fists

toxic sorts grosz saw into
wiping goodness from our midst!

 


Above illustration by George Grosz, originally done in 1932
for Bertolt Brecht’s children’s book, The Three Soldiers

 

-All text above- copyr. 2022 by rob lane wilder