May Those Who Are Looking Find Us

Thilo Krause’s new poems explore his childhood and youth in the GDR, investigating the fingerprints history leaves on objects and people with an eye for detail that is both tender and unwavering. In two long poem cycles, he writes a Story of War, one pieced together from his own father and grandfather’s memories: »The only countries Grandfather trusted/ were those on rusty maps/ inside watering cans.«

Krause focuses on what is in the margins, leftover and transient, and the sense of the Elbe Valley resonates throughout. With this collection, he stands out as one of the most significant poets of his generation.


“His poems accomplish what has always been the poet’s purpose: to celebrate life.”
Manfred Papst, NZZ am Sonntag