Hamburg! That is more than a pile of stones, roofs, windows, carpets, beds, streets, bridges and street lights. That is more than factory chimneys and cars honking. More than gulls laughter, street car screeching and the thunder of the railway. That is more than ships` sirens, cranes' cries, cursing and dance music. Oh, it is endlessly more. It is our will, to be. Not anywhere, not any way, But here, and only here, between Alster lake and Elbe stream. And only to be, as we are. We, in hamburg.
Poem by Wolfgang Borchert
