Long Chaim Poems

World War II Poems and Holocaust Poems - VI - Chaim Nachman Bialik, Erich Fried

After My Death
by Chaim Nachman Bialik
translation by Michael R. Burch

Say this when you eulogize me: 
Here was a man—now, poof, he's...

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Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania circa early 1970'S

(just in time for end of summer reading...
recounting emotionally disastrous campy turbulence)
intended food for thought indulgence. 

A boys' life aborted
miscarried golden opportunity
for adolescent romance to be courted.

Amidst a raft of fellow...

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Holocaust Poem: "On The Slaughter of the Jews"
by Chaim Nachman Bialik
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Merciful heavens, have pity on me!
If there is a God approachable by men
as yet I have not found him—
Pray for...

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(just in time for summer reading...
recounting emotionally disastrous campy turbulence)

Amidst a raft of fellow (Brandywine Valley
     Y.M.C.A) resident campers
     who, didst excitedly quiver
donning a "NON FAKE" lifejacket

...

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Life is time that's awarded to do what you will.
It's your deeds then recorded that chapters will fill.
It's a miracle given, divinely ordained,
That by passions is driven, by conscience restrained.

Life's pretend and illusion and fantastic...

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Especially one courteously wrapped ably
anonymously gifted to
an aspiring gourmet Chef Boyardee
i.e. not surprisingly... revealing mystery
person none other than...
yepper namely me.

Moost anyone can show
off culinary karate chop
suey, whether schooled among
fishy creatures either
from black lagoon,
or privately tutored,

(this...

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Torah: Black Fire on White Fire

 
 

Every Place, Every Space,
In Ink, 'Tween Signs, ‘Tween Lines,
Everywhere He, Where are we?

 

Ask, "Mi Hashem Aylai?" 
Not, "What's in for me?"
Descent from Kedushah is "I"

 

Ego's swig,...

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this alteh kocker nostalgically reflects
     being ma late mama's boytchik
(now, she long since deceased,
     whose cremated remains of day

     scattered to all points...

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After My Death
by Chaim Nachman Bialik
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Say this when you eulogize me:
Here was a man — now, poof, he's gone!
He died before his time.
The music of his life suddenly ground to...

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Torah: Black Fire on White Fire, A Nafka Mina

Every Place, every Space,
In ink, 'tween signs, ‘tween lines,
Everywhere He, Where are we?

Ask, "Mi Hashem Aylai?"
Not, "What's in for me?"
Descent from Kedushah is "I"

Ego, Ugly Mess, Rears...

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Blooma Yehudis, Fruma Truths
A verse to nurse Barbara's 72nd
"Zos Channukah", warm memories of lights,
Shared stories, & hopefully Chaim's "Maor Tzur",
Stayed tenor, forgive my lapses of soprano heights,
Together, we & gymnast flames soar,
Contemplate, mindfully weigh gold...

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Sweet 16, Sealed in Wax
 Nothing compares, can't hold a candle,
To our togetherness in love,
Hand in hand we share our "One-dle",
As a ship in harbor, we nestle in our cove!
Nothing's like sweet sixteen,
Enamored , married...

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Antimony Foolishness
Age 51 is often when one’s unable,
To buy the status quo, it’s old and needs mending.
New sports car, how youthful!  Refuting the label,
Of premature old age, gray hair pending.
Girl friends need to be...

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Age 51 is often when one’s unable,
To buy the status quo, it’s old and needs mending.
New sports car, how youthful!  Refuting the label,
Of premature old age, gray hair pending.
Girl friends need to be added...

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Such is Duchess
Amma to her “Youngens”,
Joie D’Vivre, Raison D’Etre to Dennis,
Source of course to Lucy,
Linds’s famed legs fill long johns,
Artist of Nature, watercolor canvas,
Friends savor her company “Juicy”,
Cherishing, sensing a loss when she’s “Sans”,
Creative yet...

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The bustle and tune of city,
Is composed by the Architects.
Eyes upward, not staring at feet,
Take in cornices, gargoyles and chimneys,
Building high notes reaching down - lifting up.
Harmonies are hummed by neighborhoods of,
Next-door musicians with whom...

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Swing of the bat, contests
Fielders’ gloves, ball in motion, 
Run, slide, throw - called safe!

Innings are by turns,
Dramatic or biding, boxscores
Revealing  who’s up.

Catching foul ball strays,
Or in bleachers just catch rays,
Fans cheer, hoot and...

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I wish I could have 
     seen and heard Theodore Roosevelt , 
Eugene Debs and Calvin Coolidge 
    speak their minds 
I wish I could travel back
 ...

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Not to Show Off One's Learning
(?? ???? ???? ???????)
 
 
Instead Self Effacing, B'Tz'nyus,
Otherwise, Imbibe Drink of Ego,
Schnapps in Shrinking Hollowness,
Rather Honor Your Fellow,
Not Me! Nor Mine! but Togetherness,
Elevate Your Jewish 'Bro,
B'Nai Yisroel Cholent Finesse!
...

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Kristie, 66 Tricks
Maybe with Kendall’s or Eric’s?
Feasting with grandkids & Lee?
Teach ‘em piano Fur Elise antics,
At 66 You’re never an “Oldie”,
But on a higher level, perfecting your act,
Polishing the silver Amma selfie,
Once a travel agent...

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