Self-Talk in Berchtesgaden

Adolf sat with a gloomy expression
These days by the fireplace
In the Berchtesgaden palace,
Which had remained unscathed

From the bombings,
unlike many German places
That thanks to Adolf‘s wise leadership
Were reduced to rubble

Because of the enemy‘s bombardments.
At the fire place, Hitler scratched,
With great concern, his head,
Feeling that the prosperous years

Had unfortunately slipped away.
Many who had been loyal to him
Had disdainfully abandoned him,
And he had long lost the favor

Of the German masses.
Once he seemed chosen,
And it seemed he would become
God‘s representative on Earth.

But that time has long since passed,
And among his party comrades
And in Adolf, the mood
Is quite downcast these days.

Everyone senses: the end is near,
For from the east the Russians are coming
And Eisenhower from the west.
It is clear: in the long run,

The swastika will succumb.
Instead of triumphing, Germany
Will once again draw the short straw.
Adolf Hitler‘s prophecies

Will never come true.
Adolf Hitler quietly ponders:
Today, I am still sitting by the fireplace.
My glory days on the stage

Of Germany and world history
Have come to an end. The reports
I receive from the front
Make me anxious and afraid,

Make me fearful and concerned,
For there is no hope left.
My living space has vanished,
Gone are all dreams of the future.

Soon my rule will be over,
I cannot hold on much longer.
Are there days or minutes remaining?
Hundreds of thousands bleed,

And millions must die,
Countries have been brought to ruin,
Peoples have become nomads.
Today, in Berchtesgaden, I am still sitting

By my own fireplace,
Yet I tremble at the prospect of penance.