||| FROM DAVID KOBRIN |||
A Poem for Our Time
After the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva (c. 50 – 135),
publicly tortured to death for continuing to teach when prohibited
They all watch
the martyrdom
in agitation
their unblinded eyes see
again, and again
the metal-headed Roman soldier
his fine-toothed comb
strokes, without rhythm, or beauty
the old shepherd’s weathered skin peeled
thighs, calves
wherever raked
arms, breasts
nipple falls to ground
Akiva
eyes upturned with salted tears
his shepherd’s lips crease
slight smile clear
to those gathered
Akiva
grateful to sound
the depths of himself
his late-life longing
the completed self
even as, slowly, under the sun
he bleeds to death
David Kobrin
November, 2021
Painful poem for me to read -but the idea that embracing pain can be part of a path to a sense of completeness speaks deeply to me.. Thank you.