"Up Heaven's Slope: Dedicated to Our "Kedoshim"
Why wrenched from hearth and home,
o'er hills and fields whence they came?
Dreaming dreams didst they freely roam,
awakened to morning cold and lame.
Why wrenched from hearth and home,
o'er hills and fields whence they came?
Dreaming dreams didst they freely roam,
awakened to morning cold and lame.
Wearily trod up heaven's slope
gray figures stooped, transparently thin,
recalling life from days before …
while awaiting storms of Heavenly din.
Wearily trod up heaven's slope,
their figures stooped,transparently thin,
anguished lives as none others before
why tarry the storms of Heavenly din?
Unlike Goliath in battle fell,
a travail, cold and dark, did numb
that David who had fought so well
would soon that night succumb.
Much like Goliath who in battle fell,
a travail, cold and dark, did numb
that even David who had fought so well
would soon that night succumb.
Prayerful hopes shoes be found
for souls bereft and torn,
a moment to rest, a breath to breathe
for spirits dulled and worn.
Prayerful hopes shoes be found
for souls bereft and torn.
If only a moment, a breath to breathe
for spirits dulled and worn.
Should not there have been one
for whom faith steadfast but rare,
that his would be ennobled by Thee
to seek his just and fair?
Should there not have been at least the one
for whom faith steadfast but rare,
that his would be ennobled by Thee
to seek his just and fair?
Who glimpsed the light but touched him not
whose spark had begun to wane
next day ere long gathered clouds again
for fewer who remain.
Who glimpsed the light but touched him not,
whose spark had begun to wane.
Next day ere long gathered clouds again
for fewer who remain.
Bowed under lash by day,
by night a storm did rage.
Why had He not shown His way
a war He could have waged?
Bowed under Pharoah's lash by day,
by night a storm did rage.
Why had He not shown the way
a war He could have waged?
Aside bodies on planks they lie
precious heat what little remain.
Dreaded welcome soon might bring
next to whom they had just lain.
Aside bodies on planks they lie,
precious heat what little remain.
Dreaded welcome soon might bring,
next to whom they had just lain.
Still in death's kingdom shone
a light, a way, the day
when dawn’s rising would fewer eyes see
whose faith did them sustain.
Still in death's kingdom shone
a light, a way, the day
when dawn’s rise would fewer eyes see
whose faith did them sustain.
The world we choose points us down
paths long sought by peace,
in the gardens of which we plant the seeds
lest memories tragically cease.
The world we choose points us down
paths long sought by peace,
in rose gardens when we plant the seeds
lest memories tragically cease.