First They Came...

Whether “First they came…” can be properly categorized a poem is a matter of debate. Records of speeches and sermons prove that these are Niemöller’s original words and sentiments, but there are no extant copies of the quote written by Niemöller himself. Because of this, there is no official written version; it’s impossible to know where Niemöller would have used line breaks or stanza breaks, if at all. Niemöller never spoke on the issue, and he never publicly referred to himself as a poet. These words appear in a variety of contexts: printed on memorials, posters, and protest signs; posted on websites dedicated to poetry, famous quotes, philosophy, and theology; performed as dramatic monologues and sincere public pleas. Regardless of this piece’s accepted genre, analyzing it through the lens of poetic craft can yield useful insights into the power of these words and the meaning of this piece.

The version of “First they came…” displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum displays a number of poetic qualities. The form of the composition most closely resembles a prose poem with its unmetered lines and limited use of enjambment. Two refrains echo through the poem, progressing the