Departure

Mark Elliott Shapiro

“And Jacob left Be’er Sheva

And set off for Haran”

 

Like his grandfather Abraham

He leaves

His country, his hometown, his family

 

But he is not setting off

For a God-promised land—

Instead he is fleeing

The wrath of his brother

 

To a city of refuge

 

This is how my brothers and sisters

Left their homes,

Their kibbutzim,

Their moshavim,

Their cities

 

And went to cities of refuge

 

But I know that God, blessed be His name,

Will protect them

Will protect us

Will protect the holy State of Israel

 

And, as it is written in the Book of Jeremiah,

“My children will return to their homes”

 

And I am full of hope

 

I am always full of hope