|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LONGING FOR JERUSALEM, by YEHUDA HALEVI Poet's Biography
First Line: O city of the world, with sacred splendor blest
Last Line: As sweet as honey then, my passion, my desire!
Alternate Author Name(s): Halevi, Judah; Judah Ha-levi; Abu Al-hasan
Subject(s): Jerusalem; Jews; Zionism; Memory; Judaism
First Line: O city of the world, with sacred splendor blest
Last Line: As sweet as honey then, my passion, my desire!
Alternate Author Name(s): Halevi, Judah; Judah Ha-levi; Abu Al-hasan
Subject(s): Jerusalem; Jews; Zionism; Memory; Judaism
O CITY of the world, with sacred splendor blest,
My spirit yearns to thee from out the far-off West,
A stream of love wells forth when I recall thy day,
Now is thy temple waste, thy glory passed away.
Had I an eagle's wings, straight would I fly to thee,
Moisten thy holy dust with wet cheeks streaming free.
Oh, how I long for thee! albeit thy King has gone,
Albeit where balm once flowed, the serpent dwells alone.
Could I but kiss thy dust, so would I fain expire,
As sweet as honey then, my passion, my desire!
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
BACK, MY SOUL by YEHUDA HALEVI