War and Peace

These poems were written by a young German soldier during the last climactic weeks of the World War II while he was over-rolled by the allied troops in the woods near Stuttgart. They continue into the first months after his return to the home of his parents in Berlin only to find the home empty. His entire family had not survived the last days of the war. The traumatic state of his mind is reflected in some of the most moving poems. He found his balance again by writing the next sets of poems reflecting his life's philosophy and his determination to move on even stronger into an uncertain future in the almost totally destroyed city. Then they continue in a dramatic form to echo the most difficult life of everyone in Berlin until the first Christmas after the war. In an evolving change of mood they then describe in romantic verses the first passion of his reawakening life. These poems are treasures of a talented man who has later achieved high honors and recognition as a world renowned scientist. They were selected from a large collection that has been resting in his desk for six decades and are now published following the encouragement of some of his friends and distinguished colleagues.