Poems for Shabbat XIII

For this week I chose two short poems by Charles Reznikoff (1894-1976).

 

Shabbat shalom.

Te Deum
 

Not because of victories

I sing,

having none,

but for the common sunshine,

the breeze,

the largess of the spring.

Not for victory

but for the day's work done

as well as I was able;

not for a seat upon the dais

but at the common table.

Epitaph

Not the five feet of water to your chin
but the inch above the tip of your nose.

(found in The Poems of Charles Reznikoff 1918-1975)