As for tears, yours are mine,
since I am the cause of them,
and if I could, would take the blame
upon myself. I know, you think
in terms of innocence and guilt,
but that decision was long ago
made clear in an episode
of apples, bought in a hoax
for a song. I recognize it still,
one we will always whistle.
And feel I ought to ask
forgiveness for you. A turn of cheek,
if you like. Why not? Back
of every lie and denial
is the thing we all conceal:
the inner hurt that makes our fingers
seek revenge, to brand the other
fellow with our own scar,
as though, by doing so, ours
is eased. Let's admit it does
and, in comparison, sets
a better example, hurts less
than losing an eye. How many deaths
do we need to prove it?
And to begin to learn to live.
Love, you say, and I believe you,
yet there is self-love, too,
the fear of having to lose
not only a garden in the sun
but a chance to bloom anywhere once,
which is more natural,
and why I say all will fail
unless each individual
succeeds, for treason always starts
inside a single heart.
This is the fatal trap
that none of us can step
over or hope to escape,
because no one is safe:
first comes Abel, and then Cain.
So please understand me.
What you now do here
among yourselves to free and heal
yourselves from grief and anger
may yet preserve and defend the world.
Shalom. I pray for this release.
May you be blessed and walk in peace.