Thursday, October 15, 2020

The Presence Of The Past

This past January, I officiated at the tragic unveiling of a young man taken too soon. After the service, I wrote this poem. Given the state of our nation today, it is important to remember how decisions made in places of power do not only have political implications - they impact families and individuals on a deeply personal level - whether about healthcare, national security,  the Supreme Court or a myriad of other topics. 

As Castanada taught: Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
Here’s a YouTube link to the song:  https://youtu.be/zYdRFg_-PjI

The Presence Of The Past 
Rabbi Joe Black 
(C) January 20, 2020 

A sunny day in January 
A mother’s hand caressed a stone 
The cruel wind in that cemetery 
Blew harshly as it moaned 
The Diamond ring upon her finger 
Cast rays of prism’d ancient light 
A teardrop on her cheek did linger 
As though frozen, holding tight 

The Winter grass was almost golden 
Against the wind it stood steadfast 
No clouds above to hold the cold in 
We felt the presence of the past 

In halls of power, men are meeting  
Charting out our nation’s course 
You can hear the war drums beating 
As they scheme with no remorse 
Their arguments are taut and twisted  
Biting like the winter wind 
Their pockets full, their spirits lifted 
 Last year’s hope, they now rescind 

And as soldiers wait their orders 
There’s a question no one’s asked: 
Before we trample all the borders 
Where’s the presence of the past? 

Each time we fail to raise our voices 
Each time we sit and acquiesce 
Each time we watch as fatal choices 
Push us deeper in the mess 
The die are cast with every lesson 
Whenever good folks fail to ask 
The one important, vital question:  
Where’s the presence of the past? 

In solemn fields, the headstones glisten 
In rows so straight and long and vast  
When will those in power listen 
To the presence of the past?

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