The Soldier*

by Orly, Grade 10, Amal Aleph Ramla High school

When he came to the world

They showered him with love.

All of the sudden he became a soldier.

He went to a battle and never returned

His mother stood between reality and illusion.

His father stood and screamed loudly,

"Oh son, I have defended you for 18 years,

and now the world has taken you."

From his empty room a shout was heard,

his little brother screaming,

He is still so young, not understanding,

nor thinking.

How great is the grief, how big is the pain.

Not even good-bye

Not even a word

Not even a sigh

What is DESTINY?

We can never know.

* Written in memory of those killed in the helicopter disaster. This poem appeared in the Amal Aleph Ramla school newspaper, The Amal Sun, May 1977, page 8.