Poem S2565 Amsterdam, 2025-02-18 Silent Eyes (Paul Simon) - 1975 Song, album "Still Crazy After All These Years" Jerusalem = Foundation/Dwelling of (the god of war) Shalem, later explained as: City of Peace Collection: Here &Now& Tribute to: Simon, Paul
Zywa
Flag of stories
The zealots fight harder and harder
for their own state, own country
against the loss of their stories
Their frustration memory
the doom image of anonymously
and dispersed over the earth
having a good life
but not being chosen
and still not free
of strangers, their incomprehension
and selective envy and
above all the past
that obliges them under penalty
of loss of flag, loss of identity and of
everything that should cover the cargo
The cruelty from heaven
The far-flung death
The finally acquired land
and the permanent salvation
from the itinerant existence
of Nahor, Terah, Abram
and the daughters of the daughters
of the daughters of the daughters
of his daughters
Poem 1764 Amsterdam, 2018-05-25 Jerusalem now Collection: The Praised One
Zywa
I know
I know the books of wisdom
and the rules how to live
without idols, yet modest
I know: a king does matter
he makes proud and servile
he sits on a throne of violence
I know: failure divides
nationalists in zealots
and dreamers, licking
their bitterness behind walls
of obdurate hope, dissatisfied
with a good life, yes I know
For 1000 years they've been fighting
in the name of the Force
of their desire
to enjoy princely
ignoring that peace is not free
and that there are no inhuman people
only people who pay the price
who know the words
and believe
in action
Poem 1762 Amsterdam, 2018-05-24 Jerusalem from AD 30 until now (from Saul to current anti-Palestinian nationalism) Collection: The Praised One
Zywa
The guestbook
Outside, the street is full of roles
barbed wire, you don't see them
behind the blinded windows
of formal peace
Inside everyone walks naked
in their clothes around the tower
of stacked seats on which
the Commissioner is sitting
He wiggles, the mouth full
of national interests and mutual care
The walls are decorated with names
Out of politeness I note mine
in the guestbook, sixteen pages
after a woman who has become famous
I leave my borrowed laurels
I don't want to rest on them
Poem 1734 Amsterdam, 2018-04-27 Headquarters of the British police in the Princess Mary Street, Jerusalem, May 19th, 1948 Poem "The Tower" (Charles Simic, 1994, collection "A Wedding in Hell") Collection: The Praised One