He was my childhood friend – our parents too were such.
Suffering Nazi trauma made bonds that none could touch.
We each propped up, on a rock, in his courtyard home
I'm eight, he's two years more. Talk? No. We were too old.
What can I say?
His Mother's very proud of him,
Saved his life in Italy
Ran from office to Embassy
Visas got – ship's embarking.
What can I say?
His gentle soul and voice were such
That for confrontation he was no match
He aimed to please, until – too much
Must branch out finally, and leave the hutch.
What can I say?
We really were impressed by him
Found his match, through thick and thin
Enjoyed his new reality
Love birds true – life's rewarding!
What can I say?
Throughout the years we were in touch
Saw life, my kind, with kids and family
Lamenting for him? Not as such.
Wistful. He accepted, admiringly.
What can I say?
His wife, my friend too, called to say
Her darling husband's sadly on his way
Only a short time's left for him
Much of that he spends sleeping, just sleeping.
What can I say?
Corona traps me far away
They're in London, while me? In Israel.
Paper work. Mutations. Escape?
Calling his ward, I now must undertake.
What can I say?
Three days relentless 'phoning Morning, Noon and Night
'Asleep' says nurse Somebody. I can't get it right.
Suddenly Nurse Grace is, Wow! on the other end
'I'll see if he can take your call' is what she said.
What can I say?
Will he? Can he? Been told he's very weak.
Drenching sun, my heart skips a beat.
Then, 'I'm putting you through' kindly but curt
What can I say? My breath's cut short.
"What can I say?" he said to me.
His gentle softened voice was such
Our heart, our soul both felt its touch.
From my throat, words torn, pained, pity....
Although I really wanted to scream and shout
That Swine that's eating you, Why? Just cut him out!
Instead emerged from my crushed, anguished throat
Caring words, unstoppable, all burst forth.
'You're a wonderful person. Have my greatest admiration!'
Gushed out without the slightest hesitation
'I'm sorry, just can't tell you this, face to face, personally
Sorry – Corona, can't fly over. You see...'
"Let me go" I think he says that to me.
Maybe it's the intravenous morphine.
'With your wife I will stay in touch,'
Silence. Asleep? And then, "God Bless
And my love to your wonderful family."
'I will. You are one of us. God Bless.
Hashem will be looking after you'
"Good bye for now." 'Yes, Good bye for now,
and Shalom...'
What else can I say?
Shalom, dear friend,
Shalom, Shalom,
Until Eternity'
For Arye Leib ben Chaim – ben Perla bas Rav Zvi Arye