Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO ZION, by YEHUDA HALEVI Poet's Biography First Line: Art thou not hungry for thy children, zion Last Line: And thy first youth in glory is renewed. Alternate Author Name(s): Halevi, Judah; Judah Ha-levi; Abu Al-hasan Subject(s): Desolation | ||||||||
ART thou not hungry for thy children, Zion, Thy sons far-scattered through an alien world? From earth's four corners, over land and sea, The heavy-hearted remnant of thy flock Now send thee greeting: "Know that as the dew Falls daily on the ancient slopes of Hermon, So daily on the faces of thy children Tears of vain-longing fall." And as for me, When I remember thee, the Desolate, My voice is like the jackal's in the night, A wailing and a lamentation old; But when a dream of resurrection wakes A momentary glorythen my voice Breaks like the harp's into a jubilant ringing. Thy names are on my lips, and in my heart Restless desire: Beth-El, Mach'nayim, P'niel Assemblies once of the electon you The glory of His name was shed, for you The gates were open flung, and with a light Neither of sun, moon, stars, your beauty shone. Where on the dearest of His chosen ones God poured his spirit, let me pour my heart. I will pass to Hebron, where the ancient graves Still wait for me, and wander in the dusk Of the forests of Carmel. I will go to Gilead And from Gilead pass to Habarim and Hor, And stand upon the summit of the mountains Where once the unforgotten brothers stood And the light of them was seen throughout the world. There let me fall to earth and press my lips Into the dust, and weep thy desolation Till I am blind, and, blind, still comfort thee. I would to God that I were turned to dust So that the wind could scatter me upon thee. What comfort is in life for me, since now Thine eagles have become the prey of vultures? What pleasure in the light of day, since now Thy lions, dead, are less than living dogs? Oh, I can weep no more: enough, the cup Of bitterness is full and overflows, O Zion, beauty and gladness of the world, Thine is all love and grace, and unto thee In love and grace we are for ever chained. We who in thy happiness were happy Are broken in thy desolation. Each In the prison of his exile bows to earth, And turns him toward thy gates. Scattered and lost, We will remember till the end of time The cradle of our childhood, from a thousand seas Turn back and seek again thy hills and vales. Glory of Pathros, glory of Shinar, Compared to the light and truth that streamed from thee, Are dust and vanity: and in all the world Whom shall I find to liken to thy seers, Thy princes, thy elect, thy anointed ones? The kingdoms of the heathen pass like shadows, Thy glory and thy name endure for ever. God made His home in thee: well for the man Who makes God's choice his own, with thee to dwell. And happy, happy the man who vigil keeps Until the day break over thee again, Until thy chosen are returned to thee, And thy first youth in glory is renewed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FACING INTO IT; FOR LARRY LEVIS by ELEANOR WILNER AT DAYBREAK by ADAM ZAGAJEWSKI REMEMBRANCE by EMILY JANE BRONTE THE HOUSE ON THE HILL by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON IL PLEUT DOUCEMENT SUR LA VILLE by PAUL VERLAINE DOOMSDAY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEAD JOYS by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT BACK, MY SOUL by YEHUDA HALEVI |
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