i read Keats’ “The Eve of St. Agnes” last night, since today is the saint’s day, and the last verse made me cry. Being able to transcend life through love – especially in these difficult times – is such a romantic concept. precisely because it is impossible in real life. that’s why we have cellphones…
january 21, 2021 – St. Agnes eve Read Post »
The Israel Association of Writers in English has been incredibly active this year, keeping their writers not only sane, but inspired as well. The latest innovation is the newsletter, AChord – but there have been numerous and varied zoom evenings, two journals, and much encouragement. check out not only the journal, but also the site of the organization itself.
January 18, 2021 – iawe newsletter Read Post »
Here in Israel we have no idea what the political parties will be running in the coming, untimely, election. As a member of the Labor party (I know, it sounds ridiculous but I’ve been a member since I was 10) I keep getting polls about who i would chose for the head of the party. And the possibilities keep changing. What if Ehud Barak decides to come back? So many enemies, so many supporters.
And of course, what difference will it make? Will the government alter in any way? At the moment even our medical decisions are so strongly influenced by blocks in the government, is it possible to create a government that treats the plague objectively, practically? At the moment – after two weeks of ‘lockdown’ the numbers continue to remain steady – because no one believes the government – and do their best to get around the laws. We need faith, trust, honesty, and we can’t pull together to beat this virus until we get it.
The same is true for the US of course.
So will Biden change the atmosphere? I think so. There is such a mess that any order will improve the outlook.
january 18, 2021 – politics: everything up in the air Read Post »
After a night of fever and chills, I call my doctor who is holding office hours. He gives me instructions to let him into my account, orders a prescription to the pharmacy and now I can, if i have to, can get the prescription delivered. And in this way, I can avoid the hospital nightmare of last spring.
january 18, 2021 – medical attention Read Post »
in this country you either Shvitz or Kvetch. We’ve had a year of kvetches and now we’re shvitzing like crazy. A quarter of our population will be vaccinated by the end of next week and we’re bragging all over the place. A small country with a great health care network and a prime minister willing to pay any amount to look good – what else can you expect?
january 16, 2021 – kvetch or shvitz Read Post »
i was just reminded that I was the translator of Ehud Manor’s poem “I Have No Other Homeland” that Nancy Pelosi quoted the other day. It’s here.
When Ehud died I was at a total loss. His warmth, his openness, his lack of ego, always shocked and warmed my heart. Me? He’s coming My way? He’s embracing Me? Such a great man and he has time and warmth for Me???
This was a man who truly deserved all the love he generated in his music and words. Here’s the poem:
I Have No Other Home Land
Ehud Manor
Translated by: Karen Alkalay-Gut
I have no other homeland
though my earth is aflame
a word in Hebrew alone
pierces through my veins to my soul –
with aching body, with hungry heart,
Here is my home.
I will not stay silent
that the face of my land has changed
I won’t give up but keep reminding her —
singing in her ears
until she opens her eyes
I have no other country
though my land is burning
only a word in Hebrew
pierces my veins my soul –
with aching body, hungering in my heart,
this is my home.
I will not remain quiet
though the face of my land has changed
I won’t stop reminding her —
singing in her ears
until she opens her eyes
I have no other country
until she renews her days of old
until she opens her eyes
I have no other country
though my land is burning
only a word in Hebrew
pierces my veins my soul –
with aching body, hungering in my heart,
this is my home.
i’ve written many times about him in my old diary, for example here. and i still hope when i turn a corner, I will run into him again.
january 15, 2021 – I have no other country – Ehud manor and me Read Post »
I haven’t been telling you about readings. Some of them are big readings but I have a small part, some of them are in institutions that don’t open their events to public, but there are a few coming up where it would be great to see you there. On the 19th of January I’m sitting in on a translation class using my poems – Arabic and Hebrew. I doubt whether I’ll be able to contribute much to it. i’ll let you know details if you’re interested. Lately i haven’t heard much from you guys. Also on February 1, I’ll be talking about the poetry boom on zoom. But I don’t have the exact time or link yet.
The big ones are on January 14 and then on the 16. To find out more about the 16th at the University of Michigan, click here.
january 14, 2021 – Events in the near future Read Post »
what is the most important thing the ophthalmologist had to tell us? that he just got a green passport! “What can you do with it?” I asked. He thought for a moment. “Nothing. ” then he added. “Yet.” Still, he was thrilled. It gave me great hope.
But soon after, we were talking with a guy who was trying to get a vaccine – and he got the appointment. “Since after all, we’re guinea pigs for Pfizer and will all get the vaccine eventually. ” And then he said, “But what happens if all the Israelis get it and it turns out to be poison? It will be the end of the Jewish people.”
tell me we’re all not crazy
january 12, 2021 – green passports Read Post »
