when I was asked to translate a few poems by Shaul Tschernichovsky I knew it would be difficult. His language is so antique and he wrestles with words to fit them into rhymes. And the subjects are often archaic. I asked Ezi if he would work with me because I have so many other projects I would have to postpone. He agreed, but as soon as the new variant of corona appeared, he had to concentrate on refiguring his behavior in the face of his lack of immunity. So I wound up alone with Shaul.

And I found myself incredibly involved – especially in the poem, “I Believe.” I kept thinking I was talking with my father, who lived by the creed of the song. I kept remembering the summer courses my mother would drag me to when she was trying to get her certificate for teaching Hebrew. The students would sit around the dinner table and sing the song in Hebrew with tears in their eyes. Like never before I put my heart into translating, and every time I thought it was ready to submit I would reread it and change a few words. I’m not going to look over that poem anymore – I’m way behind on everything.