Shredded Hearts
Our hearts are tightly bound
like a swaddled baby,
wrapped up in scar tissue
preventing the shattered pieces
from falling apart
Generational memories of
pain, prejudice, persecution
violations of the soul
of a tiny people, a family – my family
Layers of protection
against centuries of hate
from nations that sought
to annihilate us
obliterate us
But our faith has sustained us
helped forge a home
from an arid sliver of land
long and narrow
like the chasm in our hearts
A state where people
fight every day
not merely to survive but to thrive
to bring water to the desert
coax the land to bear fruit
Creating innovative technologies
enriching lives
advancing scientific discoveries
enhancing lives
researching medical breakthroughs
saving lives
For all of humanity
some of whom
only seek to destroy us
but we will persevere
because we must
We have a mission
Tikkun Olam
to help repair
our beautiful but very bruised,
beaten and broken world
Loren Judaken
