Christmas Carol, Chemically Cleaned
Tomorrow, children, nothing will be given!
Only he who already owns a lot, is getting gifts, as well.
Mother has donated life to you.
That is enough, thinking about it.
Some day your time, too, will come.
Tomorrow it won't happen yet.
But you must not get sad.
Rich people love poverty.
A fried goose upsets people's stomachs.
Dolls are not fashionable any more.
Tomorrow Santa Claus will come.
But only next door.
Walk through the streets a bit!
There's enough celebrating of Christmas.
Christendom, trumpeted from the church tower,
will make even the smallest children smart.
Shake your head well before use!
You don't need a Christmas tree.
Fir leaves with light bulbs -
learn not to care for them! Become proud!
Tear the boards from the foreheads,
for there's lack of wood in the stove!
Silent night and holy night -
Don't cry, if possible! Laugh instead!
Tomorrw, children, nothing will be given!
He who gets nothing, gets patience!
Tomorrw, children, learn for life!
It's not God's fault alone.
God's kindness reaches so far...
Oh, dear Christmas time!
...................................................................................................(Erich Kaestner, 1928)