When you go out
To battle your enemies
Facing the crossroads,
The exigencies,
Every day you step forward
You’re compelled to engage,
Every day in the battle
Another stage.
The spiritual world
Holds no conflict,
True and just
Every verdict;
The physical world
Is not quite so clear,
The saints are in heaven
But we’re down here!
Sometimes life’s a minefield
Of traps and tricks,
Superficial distractions,
Cerebral gimmicks;
Look at the big picture,
Don’t buy in,
Costly, in war
Are the wages of sin.
The daughters of the nations
Are beautiful,
Exotic, mysterious;
They seem wonderful.
But, you’re a son of Israel;
Raise your eyes and see,
She is not your destiny,
Your Babushka
Will beat you
With her shoe.
After all they’ve been through
To remain Jews
In this world,
There’s a spiritual Holocaust,
Don’t get yourself counted
Among the lost.
Confusion, depression,
Mindless obsessions
Defining yourself, or counting
On your possessions,
Thinking that money
Can be your protection;
You’re under attack
Pause for introspection.
Raise your eyes and see:
You’re in a war zone.
Get your face
Out of your phone;
On 9/11
The cell towers failed –
Only prayers to G-d
Availed.
Wolves surround
A lone old sheep
In a valley
Dark and deep,
Their fangs drip with blood,
Eyes red venomous darts,
Odds against her survival
Are off the charts;
But “Der Alter Mann wurfelt nicht”
G-d doesn’t play dice.
Hashem’s promise eternal
Through the darkest of nights.
In the end of days,
Mashiach will step in,
Not all will survive.
When redemption begins,
Want to see you there,
Proud of your choices, your lives,
Front row and center
When salvation arrives.
By Sharon Marcus
