Yom Ha'Zikaron
Remembering Israel's Fallen Soldiers: Selected Readings
"The State is not handed to a people on a silver platter"-- Chaim Weizmann, first President of Israel
The Silver Platter | Nathan Alterman
The Earth grows still.
The lurid sky slowly pales
Over smoking borders.
Heartsick, but still living, a people stand by
To greet the uniqueness
Of the miracle.
Readied, they wait beneath the moon.
Wrapped in awesome joy, before the light.
--Then, soon,
A girl and boy step forward,
And slowly walk before the waiting nation.
In work garb and heavy-shod
They climb
In stillness.
Wearing yet the dress of battle, the grime
Of aching day and fire-filled night
Unwashed, weary unto death, not knowing
Rest,
But wearing youth like dewdrops in their hair.
--Silently the two approach and stand.
Are they of the quick or of the dead?
Through wondering tears, the people stare.
"Who are you, the silent two?"
And they reply: "We are the silver platter
Upon which the Jewish State was served to you."
And speaking, fall in shadow at the nation's
Feet.
Let the rest in Israel's chronicles be told.
