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?