When I left Germany in 1988 with two of my children for living abroad my father gave me a drawing of Maria Fuss as a gift. It was water-colored and showed a person rowing alone against wind and waves. In the background a thunderstorm roared. I was shocked and felt a sudden feeling of emptyness.

Rowing Boat

For Jewish girls, a rowing boat
and rowing alone, far abroad.

No use of the wind‘s breath,
and rowing without any sleep.

The boat contains wether bread nor wine,
surrounded by water but thirsty all time.

Rowing without any music or laughter,
and for you no ‚day after‘.

Mary Foot‘s drawing was a cruel present,
finally, you know your father‘s intend.