Why poetry? Erich Kästner gives the answer: "That someone says what moves and depresses him is useful." In "Noise in the Mirror" from 1929, Kästner shows himself as a lyric poet of distinction. Predicate: absolutely present and of unlimited use. Factual romance. When they knew each other for eight years (and one may say: they knew each other well), their love suddenly got lost. Like other people's cane or hat. They were sad, cheerfully deceiving each other, trying to kiss as if nothing was wrong, looking at each other and not knowing what to do. Then finally she cried. And he stood there. You could wave at ships from the window. He said it was a quarter past four, and time for coffee somewhere. Next door, a man was practicing the piano. They went into the smallest café in town and stirred their cups. In the evening, they still sat there. They sat alone, and they didn't speak.