The swooping arabesque of a roof,
a giant circle around nothing—
rippling, receding, dancing
in the building across the Spree

“The grandstanding of late capitalism,
covering its failures,” cynics interject,

but I will hear no evil.
Grand illusion, maybe, but not
the grandeur of Prussian kings.

More like a child, opening
a door in the air
for imaginary friends.

From totalitarian rubble
come play, transparency,
reflection, connection,
and hope, which I cannot grasp,
yet cling to beyond reason.

– Lorna Wood

Author’s Note: In 2018, I went to Berlin for the first time. I was struck by the government buildings built since World War II. They are beautiful, with whimsical shapes and clear walls that seem to literalize the humanity, transparency, and reflection that should characterize democratic government. On a boat tour down the Spree, I was especially struck by the way the reflections of the buildings on either side of the river played off of one another. Like all countries, Germany has its problems, and these buildings could be viewed as flaunting Western wealth, but coming from a country in the grips of an authoritarian, I found them a refreshing answer to tyranny. 

Note: This piece was originally published by After the Pause in December 2020.