With the tragic deaths at the Synagogue in Manchester, and the continuing rising death toll in Gaza, I have returned to a poem which deals at times directly, and times tangentially, with the brutal and unforgiving times we live in.
A lament for a world unravelling—where violence, grief, and injustice eclipse hope. Sacred spaces fall, hunger spreads, and bombs descend. The shadow of despair touches all, especially “you and me.”
The Coming of the Shadow
Darkness comes with this the eventide
And deepens, where tragedies abide
Routine is broken, we see hope flee
We feel so helpless, you and me
Knives bring death, the ebbing of the day
Joys of worship falter, glories pass away.
Wounds and inner pain, all around I see.
The shadows fall harshly on you and me
Hunger and starvation, deaths every hour
No compassion but malformed abuse of power
Little ships captured, where can mercy be?
A land in ruins, tears fall from you and me
Now remains sorrow, not any hand to bless,
Mourning, grief, just tears and bitterness.
Here is a sting of death, in rubble no victory
And bombs are falling close to you and me
A synagogue despoiled before my very eyes.
Palestinians fear rockets crashing from the skies
The world breaks apart, it seems all comforts flee
The coming of the shadow to you and me
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