Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SIMCHAS TORAH, by CALMAN DAVID MATT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SIMCHAS TORAH, by                    
First Line: Full oft has the ark been opened
Last Line: Begin to read it anew.
Alternate Author Name(s): Matt, C. David
Subject(s): Israel; Jews; Memory; Judaism


FULL oft has the ark been opened
And in the sad procession,
Our Fathers bore the sacred Law
Their one most dear possession.

While unto the foe abandoned
To ravish and to spoil,
They left their rich and plenteous store,
The fruits of a life of toil.

And into the regions unfathomed
They bore the precious scroll,
To shield it or to die for it,
To pay the exile's toll.

Yet in to-day's pageant procession
Of banner and scroll and light,
The Jew clasps tight the self-same Law
He bore through oppression's night.

Rejoice then, O Israel! Thy praise
Unto thy Maker give.
No more the Torah bids thee die;
To-day it bids thee live!

To live for it, and to cherish
Each sacred memory,
Which time has woven in a crown
Of glory unto thee.

Let revelry hold its sway, then,
And the hour be given to cheer;
For the cycle of reading is ended
On the happiest day of the year.

And lest the mocker, derisive,
Avow you delight to be through,
Lovingly wind it from end to start;
Begin to read it anew.





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