I Wanted To Write A Poem For Israel Poem by Shalom Freedman

I wanted to write a poem for Israel-
There has been so much here-
So many stories of dedication and sacrifice
So many tales of wanderings and coming home-

I wanted to tell the stories of some of these people
I could not do this properly
I was not good enough –

Israel is so many dreams and miracles
So much struggle and sacrifice
So much greatness amidst all the pettiness –

It is too much for anyone to tell-

Once we had great prophets and poets
Other writers may approach them
I cannot-

I wanted to write a poem for Israel
I was not good enough.