More Poetry for Poetry Month

So my mom (a lifetime lover of poetry, especially Hebraica) reminded me of this poem by Natan Alterman. Here's her email:

Yair, I have been been following your blog concerning poetry in the month of April and all I can think of is this poem, which is so poignant around Yom Ha-zikaron and Yom Ha-atzma'ut. It's the most recited poem at this time of year along with David's lament on the death of Saul and Jonathan at the beginning of Samuel 2.

Sorry I can't include the Hebrew text (I can't get the formatting to work). but at least you can check out the link.

The Silver Platter

Natan Alterman

And the land grows still, the red eye of the sky
slowly dimming over smoking frontiers

As the nation arises, Torn at heart but
breathing, To receive its miracle, the only
miracle

As the ceremony draws near, it will rise,
standing erect in the moonlight in terror and
joy

When across from it will step out a youth and
a lass and slowly march toward the nation

Dressed in battle gear, dirty, Shoes heavy
with grime, they ascend the path quietly

To change garb, to wipe their brow
They have not yet found time. Still bone weary
from days and from nights in the field

Full of endless fatigue and unrested,
Yet the dew of their youth is still seen on
their head

Thus they stand at attention, giving no sign of
life or death

Then a nation in tears and amazement
will ask: "Who are you?"

And they will answer quietly, "We are the
silver platter on which the Jewish state was
given."

Thus they will say and fall back in shadows
And the rest will be told In the chronicles of
Israel