Eight More Stars

“Hear O Israel, the Lord is One”
This they whispered, with the rising sun
And the words commanded, were in their hearts
When their silent prayer was torn apart
With a cry of hate calling Jews by name
With clear intent to murder and maim
And this house of learning, hope and prayer
Was filled with fear, death and despair
And as sadness descends, reopening scars
Tonight we will see eight more stars.

As a nation we mourn for those we never knew
It is strange what you feel for a fellow Jew
Whose life was taken this chilly October
A date that now we will always remember
And our thoughts are now with them, man, children and wife
How will they now celebrate life?
Was it written in stone that this was their fate?
To leave this world in bloodshed and hate?
And as we look to heaven, this autumn night
We will count eight more stars, shining bright.

Forgive me, Lord, for doubting your will
But these Chosen People had more of life to fulfill
With little children to raise and wake and dress
And place hands on their heads on Sabbath to bless
I fear, dear Lord, that you took them too soon
These eight new stars, up there, with the moon.