Saturday, June 9, 2012

IF I SULLY THEE, O JERUSALEM!

THE CITY OF ZION GLIMMERS IN GOLD.
THE SERAPHIM DESCEND FROM THE FIRMAMENTS
CLOTHED IN WHITE LINEN, SMELLING OF MYRRRHHH.

THE ISRAELITES GATHER BY THE WALL SURROUNDING
THE HOLY TEMPLE MOUNT.

THE YOUNG JEW FROM THE TRIBE OF TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT
PRESSES HIS LIPS AGAINST THE WESTERN WALL,
SMEARS IT WITH TEARS AND SUNSCREEN,

THE RABBI FROM THE CHASIDDISH TRIBE
PRESSES HIS LIPS AGAINST THE WESTERN WALL,
SMEARS IT WITH TEARS AND BEARD.

HOW MANY GERMS
HAS THOUST CARRIED, O WALL?
TOUCHED, EMBRACED, FELT UP,
FOREIGN OBJECTS PRESSED INTO YOUR VENTRICLES.
DOTH YOU STAND 
THE HOT STENCH OF BODIES IN THE DESERT SUN
PRESSED UP AGAINST YOUR STONE?

LIKE THE JEW CARRIES HIS GUILT,
YOU CARRY THE BURDEN OF DIRT AND BACTERIA.

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