My Reprieve Is Still Valid | Poem

 
MY REPRIEVE IS STILL VALID by Elisha Porat
 

            In this winter I watch from the

            Far fields: the shouting rumble of

            Grey cranes in the fallow, and

            Blackbirds singing in the

            Pine thicket. It is the Sabbath day;

            I go to the marshes, and drink from

            The fragrance of my childhood . . .

            Forgotten daffodils. Children are

            Collecting mushrooms: oh, the

            Eely skullcap of a fresh

            Champignon; oh, the sand grains of

            Mushrooms in the sizzling pot!

            My head suddenly feels encircled

            by onion steam, and this familiar

            aroma blocks me. Abruptly I stop.

            I surrender to my memories. And I

            Say to myself: right now, this morning,

            My reprieve is still valid.

            translated from Hebrew by the author and Ward Kelley
 

to Elisha   /   to Moongate

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