Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SIMCHAS TORAH, by CALMAN DAVID MATT First Line: Full oft has the ark been opened Last Line: Begin to read it anew. Alternate Author Name(s): Matt, C. David Subject(s): Israel; Jews; Memory; Judaism | ||||||||
FULL oft has the ark been opened And in the sad procession, Our Fathers bore the sacred Law Their one most dear possession. While unto the foe abandoned To ravish and to spoil, They left their rich and plenteous store, The fruits of a life of toil. And into the regions unfathomed They bore the precious scroll, To shield it or to die for it, To pay the exile's toll. Yet in to-day's pageant procession Of banner and scroll and light, The Jew clasps tight the self-same Law He bore through oppression's night. Rejoice then, O Israel! Thy praise Unto thy Maker give. No more the Torah bids thee die; To-day it bids thee live! To live for it, and to cherish Each sacred memory, Which time has woven in a crown Of glory unto thee. Let revelry hold its sway, then, And the hour be given to cheer; For the cycle of reading is ended On the happiest day of the year. And lest the mocker, derisive, Avow you delight to be through, Lovingly wind it from end to start; Begin to read it anew. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD A LITTLE HISTORY by DAVID LEHMAN FOR I WILL CONSIDER YOUR DOG MOLLY by DAVID LEHMAN JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE NATIONAL THOUGHTS by YEHUDA AMICHAI SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 2. ANGEL ... by MARVIN BELL |
|