The Defenceless One

by Ian Sloan Photography
(Glenrothes)

The Defenceless One

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


Comments for The Defenceless One

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Nov 12, 2007
'Behold the man!'
by: Captain Pugwash

When Jesus stood before Pilate - Pilate took Him out and said to the crowd 'Behold the Man'. At that moment He was clearly seen in our vulnerable flesh as the God Man combining Divinity and Humanity in perfection.

This sculpture shows clearly the vulnerability of our human nature, we think we are strong and able, but really we are vulnerable.

Maybe we all ought to go and stand before this statue and take a long hard look and a deep breath and take onboard our own humanity.

It is all of us that are the defenceless one.

Thanks again Ian and thanks to the author of that lovely and provoking poem.

Nov 12, 2007
Stunning indeed.
by: May

Thank you for submitting this fabulous Photograph Ian and for find this wonderful poem. I am so pleased we got permission from Poetry of Scotland to put this on here. It makes sense of the picture.

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