The first day I put on my yarmulke
no longer need I fear
for no words, or beatings, or pressure
shall steer my course for reverence.
there were dirty and confused looks
they wondered what I had
all the questions were, "what is his little hat?"
they thought my country was my language and my faith was my state
but that is there mistake.
The first day I put on my Kippah
my fear continued to grow
I'm alone, a Jewish boy, not a minority
and this city is a violent woe.
I worried so much, my stomach crunched
I wondered for my safety
but who cares if your beaten, since you really should be free
I cannot be in my homeland, but I should ne a Jew with no ill fears
no Ghetto, or Mellah for me
I shall be as defiant as Ahuva Yisrael...
The first day I put on my yarmulke
I was insulted and pushed for my identity
how could reverence be an emotional battle?
how could me and them be counted as "we"?
how could the world be so violent?
how could the world be so blind?
for there has been little kindness or curiosity
just "die Jew" and all concepts of Nazis.
The first day I put on my Kippah
it seemed a big step and a travesty
just a small little cap on the crown of my head
holding a world of hope and identity.
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Your poem is well-written. It feels like a call to reflection and action while at the same time not coming off as accusatory which, I think, is a difficult line to balance. I also liked how you alternated between yarmulke and kippah. To me, it felt like a way of bringing the Jewish community together into the experience of your poem.
A few of the stanzas felt a bit awkward, because they were so much longer than the others. For example:
worried so much, my stomach crunched
I wondered for my safety
but who cares if your beaten, since you really should be free
I cannot be in my homeland, but I should ne a Jew with no ill fears
no Ghetto, or Mellah for me
I shall be as defiant as Ahuva Yisrael...
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. Great job!
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Thank you for you thoughts.
I would have to blame the awkward stanzas on the musical inspiration I got from youtube - "Home again in Israel"
also I keep forgetting certain rules when it comes to ivrit
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It's a pity that there are so few Jewish poems written on this site, (I too am Jewish, and after posting a Jewish poem a little while back started searching for others on the site.) This is a nice write, and one I can definitely relate to.
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yes, I don't exactly take this site seriously. I tend to write these when surged with some sort of Zionist/Jewish inspiration.
this write refers to my first day at school while wearing a Kippah, as I decided I didn't want to care about the Anti Semitic consequences. unfortunatly, I wrote it too early in the day, so I couldnt add the incident with a woman putting a cigaette in my face. -
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Sorry to hear your incident. It's incredible how low some people are. Thank God I live in a community that has many religious Jews and it is not really a challenge to wear a Kippah here, but your courage is inspirational.
I do like this site, and the reception to the single Jewish poem I posted ("The Wall of Names" ) has been pretty positive. -
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yes, I read it, it reminded me of many occasions of going to Australian Synagogues, the oldest in Tasmania has a Torah Scroll which was taken back from the German Nazi Regime, it still has holes from rifles when the Synagogue was attacked.
Unfortunatly, I live in North-Eastern Australia, where in my city, I am the Token Jew. considering this, I have had death threats and attacks on my person, and there is much graffiti of white supremist nature which villafies Jews and native Australians aswell as the whole redneck hate-circle.
were there a situation where I could go south to the Jewish Communities in the Capitals, but I have a Girlfriend and Education and no means to aquire such safety.
at least such a place could make a Zionist out of anyone.
I guess the pet-hate of wearing a Kippah is that people ask what it is and call it a hat, since a Jewish Hat refers to the Judenhut, which is one of the many antisemitic persecutions associated with the European-Christian Community. -
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Here in New York thank God it's much easier. If you're ever looking for someone Jewish to chat with, don't hesitate to drop a message.
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I would love that, toda aba
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this was very nicely written...it should stop readers and allow for some deeper thinking...great job poet. Thanks for sharing...peace and light always in ALL ways, KP
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"Imagine all the people
Living life in peace " - John Lennon
I enjoyed reading your poem!
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