In Memory
"… do not forget."  (Deuteronomy 25:19)
"May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing …" (Proverbs 10:7)

           in memory of those
whose fate was inscribed on Rosh HaShanah and sealed on Yom Kippur
to die by flames, burned alive inside a tank
to die by water, drowning in a river while carrying rifle and helmet
to die by a bomb exploding in a market
to die by a knife, stabbed in a dark alley
to die by a bullet, shot in an ambush


           in memory of those
whose fate was inscribed on Rosh HaShanah and sealed on Yom Kippur
to live, despite losing a leg in a land-mine
to live, despite losing an arm in a bombed bus
to live, despite losing a wife in a gunned car
to live, despite losing a son in the army
to live, despite a phone-call that will never ring


           and in memory of those
whose fate was not inscribed on Rosh HaShanah, nor sealed on Yom Kippur
but who on their own, of their free-will, chose to be
           in deserts of dunes — oases
           in times of floods — islands
           in seasons of drought — rain
           in dictionaries of curses — words of blessing
           in a drab brown sackcloth of forgetfulness —
                        blue silken threads
                                                of remembrance