I want to write to You

to ask You how

and what, if

and why.

So many whys.

I wish I could measure

Your quota of tears

and understand

Your reckonings of pain.

But

I don’t.

Not even close.

Yet,

אנחנו מאמינים

we believe.

What decides

between the kiss hello

and the kiss goodbye

Is it the color of the skin

or eyes

or maybe

hair?

Why is there no listener

to the melody

of the babies’ cries?

A people left with shattered

parts.

Yet,

אנחנו מאמינים

we believe.

How can we light up the world

orange

Instead

of lighting birthday candles?

How can we wrap bands of yellow

in the place of

wrapping bandages around the cracked fragments of our hearts?

A nation that is the cornerstone of pain.

Yet,

אנחנו מאמינים

we believe.

Why did a citadel of music

have to become

an eternal resting place for Loss?

And why did a family of four

have to be

whittled down to one?

After 512 days.

Yet,

אנחנו מאמינים

we believe.

For every tear we cry

are You crying double?

For every pure soul we part with

are You in mourning from Above?

In every pain we endure

are You there beside us?

Aba

though Your plan is hidden amongst the clouds

We know

אין לנו על מי להשען,

אלא על אבינו שבשמים.

We have no one to rely on,

except You.