Translated from the Hebrew by Hila Bar
Across the yard
Where the Sukkah still stood
We could hear the beat to the drums of war
As we danced and rejoiced
With the holy Torah,
I warily turned the lock of the door
A missile blast
Set the sky aglow
With such a roar I as yet did not know
Early worshippers rushing home,
Like angels wrapped in white,
As they bring their prayers to an end
While a myriad souls
In pain and fear
To heaven begin to ascend
The burning smell
Is much more than fire
It is tinged with the scent of blood
The safe room is steeped
In a fear unknown
And the heart begins to thud
A Jewish light
In the murderous dark
Bows its head in submission
Please, O God
How long will the wicked
Rejoice upon Your Nation?
So I gather my things
And leave with my children
To a place so far from home
Far from the fish tank
And far from the lemon tree
Far from the breach of my tranquility
Swords of Iron
I hear your metal call to order
Your battle to protect our land and border
And when the cries of war slowly part,
I’ll return to my land,
My home, my heart
