Tikkun
The horror
the calamity
the disgrace,
the rubble of folly
and religion's stupidities,
the dimness of vision
and violence of despair
won't be repaired by an officer,
a bomb or a plane,
and not by still more blood.
Only wisdom of the heart could mend it
only the surgeon, the doctor,
the good teacher, the teachers
the medic — an Arab, a Jew —
only the quiet traveler
riding a bicycle,
someone carrying a sandwich
and walking along a street,
someone opening their eyes,
someone who speaks with compassion,
someone listening
someone learning and wise
someone waiting and thinking
someone guiding someone
down a path of kindness, affection,
the painter, the poet,
disciples of peace —
only the gardeners of peace.
October 10, 2023
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Aharon Shabtai
Requiem
translated by Peter Cole
New Directions, 2025
