The Defenceless One

by Ian Sloan Photography
(Glenrothes)

The Defenceless One

This stunning statue is by Rudolf Christian Baisch (1903-1990) and was presented by the Twin Town of Boblingen, Germany to the people of Glenrothes in June 1991.

"The Defenceless One" looks over the duckpond in the Town Park.

I found this fascinating poem on the internet about the sculpture.

The Defenceless One ©
by H Marshall
Scotland 2002

Ten years and more he's stood alone,
Where ducks and children play,
Birds use him as a vantage point,
Rains wash their presence away.

A cord tightly adorns his neck,
Another round his waist,
This stark sculpture is disturbing,
And not to everyone's taste.

His shape evokes the deepest thoughts,
Deformed, slim and plain,
His face shows agony and fear,
Mankind still cannot explain.

How could this soul defend himself
If strong arms he has none?
No riposte with fist, stick or sword,
No finger to fire a gun.

We all must fight the cause for him,
No matter what the foe!
Our duty to the weak in life,
Ev'ry ruler aught to know!

From Boblingen to Glenrothes,
Emissaries move free,
Friendship and peace between our towns,
On behalf of you and me.

Between our towns a bond is struck,
By Rudolf Baisch's gift,
And with the passing of the years,
He will help to heal the rift.

Please note that kind permission to use this poem on this site has been granted by Poetry of Scotland