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  • Sep 11, 2026, 4:18 AM
    retooted datarama

    I don't know if the final line - "You are somebody now" - of DHH's "Omarchy Doctrine" is *intended* to have this connotation, but the first thing that popped into my mind is the final stanza of a poem written by the Danish resistance fighter Morten Nielsen, published posthumously in 1945. Here is my (poor, non-rhyming) translation. I've taken the liberty of capitalizing the interesting bit.

    Fast bright voices, whirling into the blue
    you were miserable, Fatty, but we couldn't understand
    Sweaty and fat and stupid, Hell leapt forth
    to knock over you and your bike; we stood around laughing.

    You sat on the front bench - never cry, just stare, stare, stare
    when a frightened and funny substitute asks you to add two and two
    First-grade subs saved a fraying discipline
    by turning it all against you, who defenselessly became a joke.

    When springtime came, for us who were 15 years old
    and the trees stood shining over the girls' soft hair
    and you came, cautiously and sincerely,
    the one who laughed the loudest of us, was her it was all about.

    Now revenge is yours! You wear shoulder strap and jackboots
    you raise your arm, a light shines in your pale blue eyes
    for a human being can take hatred, mockery and threats, but never - no, never! - being laughed at.

    YOU ARE SOMEBODY NOW, Fatty, man and party member.
    And should we go to the wall one day, your hand will be ready
    Ready to smash your brass knuckles into my mouth when you strike.
    And now you're out to kill, Fatty, all the cruel years.

    (I think every Danish schoolkid still learns it. DHH is almost exactly my age, so he certainly did.)

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