Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
JGuberman Sep 2016
Let us sleep
like the staircase
that once led up to the Temple Mount
no longer able to carry pious feet to prayer,
but the well experienced cracks
over which they once walked
expose the heavy burden
of well worn memories
under which we now slumber.

Sunrise from Masada.
The view from the casemate wall
of Silva's camp below.
Shadowy ghosts
are cast and scattered
and given voice as the wind
shouts through the buildings ruins
L'-he-rut Zi-yon
and there is no reply.
Only the songs of the Tristramit
who mimic the voices
of every child martyred here, singing:
*Shalom al Ziyon, Shalom al Ziyon"
and there is no reply,
only the dreams of the interrupted
and the disturbed peace
of excavated ruins.
L'herut Ziyon (Hebrew) is an inscription on coins of the Jewish First Revolt against the Romans (CE 66-73) meaning "for the freedom of Zion".

Tristramit is the Hebrew name for "Tristram's Grackle" Onycognathus tristramii described by Heinzel et al in The Birds of Britain & Europe; with North Africa & the Middle East as "Song sweet, wild and weirdly melancholy" (p. 302). It's a gregarious bird known to mimic sounds as well. Commonly seen in and around Masada as well as elsewhere in the Middle East. Named for H. B. Tristram a 19th century English traveler and naturalist.

"Shalom al Ziyon" (Hebrew) meaning "peace upon Zion".

This poem was originally published in 1990 in the New Zealand Jewish Chronicle's literary supplement with notes by Prof. Norman Simms of the University of Waikato.
Ellentelligence Sep 2016
When i am lost at a crossroads, unsure of the direction to take...i find retracing my steps and starting over to be nifty
Diána Bósa Sep 2016
These strides of mine are
so heavy as I am
going down on these

stairs taking one step
after another for I
am aware that

they are about to
give birth to a starving-dark
void between the two of us.
Mane Omsy Sep 2016
Will you rise when you fall?
Will you take in deep grief?
Can you stand in the line?
You've become so complete

Imperfections in your life
Take the steps ahead of yours
You'll be proud of yourself
Just look back and be grateful

How many miles have you run?
That is nothing but a tiny step
A million steps ahead, be ready
Learn from every levels you reach
You never learn without failures. So, don't step back and bow your head when you fall down.
Simon Soane Aug 2016
Dab
When you slightly explode
a sky still
still
fills with fireworks.
Just a dab of your fantastic
&
lights are lit
everywhere;
tiny steps of wonder,
illuminating.
Tehreem Aug 2016
He kicks the cobblestones
Cold air embraced his stature
A cigarette palmed he walks
Down the cherry blossom avenue
The subtle petals fell with each step
Stony path kissed his feet repeatedly
Lalic light burst through flowers
Lightly touched his burning skin
Night worshiped his casted shadow
Breezes breathed in his fragrance
Tehreem Jul 2016
My heart beats are tied to his feet

Every step is another skipped beat
My paths end at your feet.
kias nara Jul 2016
To be in love with someone new
To be grateful for being yours
To be regret have knowing you
To be relieved for letting go




-kir
Austin Bauer Jun 2016
Wisdom takes careful steps.
She knows that hasty footing 
Leads to harm.  To avoid falling,
Or stepping on something deadly,
Wisdom takes careful steps.
tiny hand slips from my finger
“me do!” he boldly declares

pit-pat first step
he beams, I smile
pit-pat second step
“me do?” “you do”

Pit-pat third step
thump- I reach…
“no! me do!”
up again pit-pat

pit-pat, pit-pat, “me do! me do!”
Singing - chanting - laughing - marching

pit-pat goes my heart
learning to let go
This poem is part of my anthology about Mary, mother of Jesus, but it's also about the bittersweet moments felt all moms and dads, of baby's first steps.We are thrilled about baby's accomplishment, but a little sad knowing that this is our first call to "let go"
Next page