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Smoke don't
forget
the earth
that you leave
nor the
burning synagogues
that gave you
lift.
Recall the
men wrapped in prayer shawls
who swayed to
an ancient metronome,
prayed in
devoted silence or aloud
to the One
who created fire and smoke.
You are now
their sorrowful messenger
a cruel sweet
savor unto the Lord.
Smoke don't
forget your sinews and source
the
smoldering Torahs and sacred books.
Carry aloft
the holy black letters
which informed
men's reverend hopes.
Remember the
unquestioned devotion of pure souls
and those who
struggled faithfully with their doubts.
Smoke, find
your next of kin,
the desert
cloud of day and the pillar of fire by night,
and lead the
living home.
Smoke don't
forget
the tall
chimneys and the jagged pits
from which
you rose.
The innocent
men, women and children
which were
your host
proclaim that
they were beautiful in life
and noble in
their deeds.
Testify that
they will be forever missed.
-Bernard
Otterman
Copyright
?000 Bernard Otterman