Poem: Asking, By Barzilai Kellajer

Poem: Asking

Two books where in front of me on the table. They were close to the table lamp that lit both of them at the same time. While outside it was getting darker and darker.

Getting up I went to the window and looked up to the lead-sky. Black branches of a pear tree were scratching while slowly crying.

It was cold outside and it was cold inside. The darker it was getting outside the brighter was the light falling on the two books. The darkness ended up covering the world outside while my light was shining the outside through the window. My light was weak and was incapable of reaching even the sad pear tree.

Those two books are the Tanaj and the New Testament. I read one and the other. There are beautiful passages in both of them. There are passages in both books that I didn't like.

How am I supposed to feel? What should I do? My soul opens the Tanaj and lit the Menorah. At that moment I ask Him: "Tell me about the Ahura Mazda".

With my heart I open the New Testament and I ask Jesus: "Tell me about the Zarathushtra".

I switched off the table lamp and the Menorah's candles lit both books. Someone called me silently from outside and I turned my face to the window. I saw my reflection on the window glass, my brighting Menorah, and my books as if on a black mirror.

by Barzilai Kellajer