This Story

Haven’t we heard
This story before
Of women swiftly
snatched from safety
Subjected to whims
Of a ruler crueler
Than they knew

Haven’t we heard
This story before
Of a man who stood vigil
Never bowing
Always vowing
To bring his daughter
Home

Haven’t we heard
This story before
Of a man
Who plots a plan
We can’t withstand
But who doesn’t understand
The might of God’s hand

Haven’t we heard
This story before
Of a nation sworn to die
Till they let out a cry
To the one on High
The story turns around
A new victor is found

Haven’t we been
Telling this story
Unrolling a scroll
That’s been travelling
For centuries
Unraveling
Assimilating
In different countries
Revealing
New places, new names

But the story
Stays the same.

About the Author

Zahava Bauer grew up in Teaneck, NJ and recently made Aliyah to Efrat from Bala Cynwyd, PA with her husband and three children. She is an English teacher in Ulpanat Oriya, and previously taught in Caskey Torah Academy in Philly. She loves to write poetry in her spare time, and enjoys snow days, hiking, and a day at the beach. Her Bachelor’s degrees are from Stern in Jewish Education and English Literature, and her Master’s degrees are from Azrieli and GPATS. She hopes for nothing more than peace in the Middle East and achdut among Am Yisrael!