Anike
my lovely lass
you have seen war
so many wars
long painful wars

is it true
that they made you
turn your
amber eyes
and bow
your pretty head
in front of Hitler

did you hear
the Communist tanks
and the soldiers
marching
across the
cobblestones

did you gather
your skirts
and hide
your graceful
presence
braiding your
beautiful hair
in the
solace
of your fear

What could
you see
from your
hiding place
Anike?
What was your
outlook then?

suddenly
the sun shone
freedom
returned
and at your feet
people celebrated

joyfully
dancing and laughing
from the
heart
of their
misery

poor people
singing people
and free people
skipping and spinning
together

What was your
outlook then
Anike?
What was your
outlook?

and now
reflecting
from your waters
trinket sellers
trinket their
covered
swastikas
selling their
hammer and sickles

does it make you
want to throw
down
your flowers
and run
turning your
shy face
in disgust

What is your
outlook now
Anike?
What is your
outlook?

now a new Union
ripples from
your pond
promising
prosperity
protection
and wealth

Anike
I sense
the jazz plays
too late for you
and that
your enchanting air
is getting tired

I sense your people
are struggling
to shake off
the shackles
of their history

but Anike
do you smile
laugh and giggle
as you watch
the innocent children
cool their feet
in the depth
of your
waters
does it give
you hope

Anike
please

what is
your
outlook
now?

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Anike is a sculpture of whom from her subtle fountain head vantage point quietly watches over the turbulent history of the European city of Klaipėda, Lithuania.