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.