Frankfurt, in a bunker, in 1942
I discovered the injured man
Tended his wounds best I could
Ofcourse that shouldn't have been the plan
He was German, a young solider
But I just didn't follow orders at that time
A picture of a child and a pretty girl
Being German was his crime
I watched him go and breathed a sigh
What had I just done
We were taught to **** another nation
But my conscience had just begun
He looked back and nodded his head
Was it happiness or relief that weighed on his mind
Did he wonder why I'd helped him
Or was I just thinking blind
A conference in Berlin 1992
I started with my talk
On war crimes and dangerous times
And the paths enemies walk
As I stood to take my leave
I felt eyes watch my move
A large hand on my shoulder
I thought oh no someone doesn't approve
There he was an ageing man
But I couldn't forget his face
He smiled and we stood in total awe
And then we hugged with a respectful embrace
I often wondered why you did it
Said his old croaky voice
You should have killed me but let me live
I thank you for my families rejoice