In Frieden ruhen

'Rest in Peace' tells the story of two brothers who struggle with alcohol and with each other. One of them suffers from severe alcoholism, while the other enjoys drinking as well. The boundaries of who is stable and capable of reasoning at any given moment constantly blur. Many episodes from their shared life are recounted in retrospect. Additionally, there is a present-time narrative where death has already occurred, and the clearing out of the apartment or visits to the cemetery are addressed. During the latter, the surviving brother often brings a beer to pour over the grave, allowing him to drink once more with his deceased brother. Besides the brothers as central figures, there are several supporting characters that appear in individual texts. These are mostly marginalized members of society - beggars, homeless individuals, drunks - who are observed in brief everyday moments. The strong focus on character makes 'Rest in Peace' a unique collection. It is rare for a poetry publication to allow such an intense and multifaceted exploration of characters.