Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FEAST OF FREEDOM, by PHILIP MAX RASKIN First Line: I remember in my childhood Last Line: "of a spring of long ago. ..." Alternate Author Name(s): Raskin, P. M. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Feasts; Freedom; Jews; Passover; Liberty; Judaism | ||||||||
I REMEMBER in my childhood From my grandfather I heard Charming tales of gone-by ages That my soul so deeply stirred. Charming tales of ancient sages That I felt, I knew were true; Stories of the hoary ages That remain forever new. ... Of the Pesach-days he told me, Days that joy and sunshine bring; Of the Festival of Freedom, Of Revival and of Spring. ... Of the slave-people in Egypt, Whose hot blood so rashly spilt, Soaked into cold bricks and mortar Of the fortresses they built. How on them, the God-forsaken, After gloomy wintry days, Shone at last the rays of freedom, Heaven's bright and cheerful rays. How among them rose a leader, Star-like in a gloomy night, And he pleaded for their freedom, And he crushed a tyrant's might. How he taught the fettered people Not in vain their blood to spill, Turning bondmen into freemen, Men of honor and of will. How the people's march to Freedom Could no despot's might restrain, Till before their will resistless Stormy ocean oped in twain. ... "Then it was our people's Spring-time, After which a Summer came, Followed by a golden harvest, Free from yoke and free from shame." "Grand-sire, dear," I asked enraptured, "How long did that Summer last?" But he sadly gazed and pondered, And he answered me at last. "Child, it was a long, bright Summer, But a winter came again, Came with cold, and snow, and showers, With its gales of grief and pain. "Frost and tempest-strife, contention Raged once more in every part, Stealing into souls and freezing Will and hope in every heart. "Furious storm once more dispersed us; Israel rendered free and great, Into lands of cruel despots Went to face a bondman's fate. ..." "Grand-sire, dear, why does this Winter Seem so endless, then?"I sighed And two crystal tears were trembling In his eyes, when he replied. "Yes, my boy, it seems so endless, But it cannot, will not be; Israel will not slave for ever, One day, child, he will be free. "In his soul will re-awaken Courage, will, and pride, and might; Freedom's sunrise must needs follow Israel's starless exile night. "But till then, ere Spring's arrival For the winter's steps are slow Pesach is a sweet remembrance Of a spring of long ago. ..." | 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 A GHETTO CRADLE-SONG by PHILIP MAX RASKIN |
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