When they come to take you
midrash Bereishit*
Song or Songs
girl
God
Uncle Josef.
See how the seasons change
how long till I find within myself
now so full of regret
nights when she’s almost full to bursting.
My own grandfather—about Josi
specific materials.
Who are you to live?
In this life words cling to me
like handcuffs.
#
Advice to a contemporary poet.
Yet I don’t think I’ll differentiate
On and on and on
Translated by Aloma Halter
*homiletic interpretation of Genesis
We hope you have enjoyed this article! Unlike many other publications, we do not have a paywall. In order to continue this way, and to make sure that our writers are paid fairly for their work, we are totally reliant on those who can afford to do so, and who care about the Tel Aviv Review of Books, to help support our work. Please consider making a donation. Many thanks!
A selection of English translations of work by the late Israeli poet Israel Eliraz.
Two poems that use humor to revise the traditional narrative of Soviet Jews' triumphal arrival in Israel.
The surprising parallels in the lives and poetry of Natan Zach and Aharon Almog, and their place in Israeli literary history.
A selection of English translations of work by the poet Sarai Shavit.
A selection of English translations of work by the poet Yael Statman.