“For these things I weep”; A Running List Born of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

By Tamara Fine Skversky

“For these things I weep” (Lamentations 1:16)

During the most recent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I had a fair amount of painful thoughts running through my mind. So, as a form of catharsis I decided to list them.

I CRY

For the pervasive sense of despair,

And the palpable tension in the air,

For the children taught to hate,

And the interminable time we continue to wait.

I CRY

For the dead and the dying,

For bombs falling and rockets flying,

For the innocent running for cover,

For the bereaved child, father or mother.

I CRY

For the bricks thugs throw,

For the streets where blood flows,

While rivers run dry,

And dreamers lose the will to try.

I CRY

For the grave misunderstandings,

For the lynchings and the brandings,

For the political extremes,

And the disappearing mainstreams.

I CRY

For the electrician murdered by a mob.

For the worshipers beaten by cops,

For tunnels and terrorists,

And ethnic supremacists.

I CRY

For the barman turned reservist,

For the parents who are nervous,

While the child lay awake,

Crippled by fear, pain, and heartache,

I CRY

For the dangers that loom,

And the sense of impending doom.

For the growing humanitarian crisis

For the threat of Hamas, Iran, and ISIS

I CRY

For the silent and the loud,

For the all-knowing and ever-proud,

For the layers of history,

And facts shrouded in mystery.

I CRY 

For the burning synagogues,

For the corrupt demagogues,

For the half-truths and the lies,

For those who seek one another’s demise.

“For These Things I Weep.”

Tamara Fine Skversky is an NGO professional based in Israel who writes when and if the circumstances inspire, demand, or allow.