blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

When I was first informed that Ezi’s mother’s cousin, Shifra Lancet, had passed away, I was sorry that our planned meeting didn’t take place.  A few days after we spoke Ezi came down with covid, then I did, and then she did.  But she didn’t survive it, and I know she was okay with that too.  She was 101, after all.

But she was my last barrier between me and death.  Ezi and I are now the senior  generation. 

She herself always thought of Ezi’s mother with awe and admiration, and although her memory was fading, she loved telling anecdotes of the old days, and she loved making me things – scarves and stories.

 

 

 

confession – feb 9, 2024 Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

I’ve always wondered why the writers who write literature – novels, poetry, flash fiction – aren’t more popular in the world.  They reflect the spectrum of political beliefs in the society, and as English speakers, they possess a perspective with which people not from Israel can identify.  Last night we had a zoom discussion of our poetry and song that helped me feel I’m not alone, that there are people who live entirely within the society but also have a western vision.  Look for them.

More about english writing in israel – feb 8, 2024 Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv, ,

Home takes on different dimensions in this century.  Of course we old people stayed home during covid (Yes, I am recovering from my last bout), and the rockets kept us home for a few months, and we have been warned to stock up for a long period in our shelters.  

And the millions of homeless all around the world makes us realize how wonderful it is to have a home.

But we have been concerned with a detail of home in the recent past – a bed.  For the past few months Ezi has been complaining about his back, especially in the mornings.  So we decided that even though our bed is not that old, we had to get a new one.  So last month we went around and Ezi chose the softest mattress he could find, and a more solid bed and, lured by the sale price, paid up front.  And yesterday we were informed that tomorrow morning it would be delivered – a 7 a.m.   This meant dismantling it all day (there are 4 enormous and heavy drawers), helping the guy we’re giving it to to pack everything but the mattress into his jeep, settling the mattress on the living room floor, and cleaning out the bedroom in anticipation of the new bed.

And on the floor of our living room I am already displaced.  One silly night in a comfortable place and I am already discombobulated.  Imagine what something serious may feel like. 

home, bed, and security – feb 6, 2024 Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv, poetry

Self portrait 

At four I was brought to be photographed

in a studio near where my father worked.

Perhaps it was a favor, perhaps a gift,

But definitely a tremendous event

because my mother fussed so much.

And the new dress impressed me so intensely

I ceased my eternal weeping.

 

To make me smile for perpetuity,

the man put a yellow basket in my hand,

seated me on a regal pillowed bench,

then without straightening my sleeves

said ‘watch the birdie’ and flashed

my moment of joy.

self portrait – feb 5, 2024 Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

We seem to live on TV.  Maybe since the beginning of Covid, but certainly since the war.  Of course we see family and friends, and we manage a concert, a play or two, a museum, a beach, but the real intimacy is with television.  Lately it’s been interviews with hostages that were released, in horror and anticipation of the release of the other hostages.  Their stories disturb my sleep even more than the rockets over tel aviv that have stopped for now.  Even more than the anticipation of Hizballah rockets that are much more powerful and dangerous than the ones we’ve managed to avoid in the last months.  

And to add to all the confinement and discomfort, my covid doesn’t want to leave me.  I am still barely functioning and although I’m handling the reading on words of war on wednesday – somehow – I’m not doing anything with energy.  

No wonder my friends have given up on me.

 

life on tV – feb 4, 2024 Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

I comfort myself by noting that I’m not the only one with an addled mind, so it’s not just from the covid that I keep mixing up directions in my computer, missing appointments and misunderstanding people’s feelings.  I mean even the Hamas leaders are at odds with each other.    

But one thing that was clear tonight in the poetry reading (that I had been initially invited to introduce my new book in Hebrew but then been forgotten about in the planning.  )  That people still love poetry in Hebrew and have returned to the holocaust, The trauma of this war seems so similar, it also addles our minds.  But never mind.  Perhaps tomorrow my reasoning will be more clear.

Addled Mind – Feb 3, 2024 Read Post »