God Hid His Face
Selected Poems of RAJZEL ZYCHLINSKY
 
Biblical Night
 
The night was dark. 
The night was deep, without stars. 
The wind rustled in the trees. 
The wind was looking for Leah. 
Jacob buried his face 
in Leah's breast: 
- Rachel, Rachel, my wife! 
Seven years I have waited for you. 
Long were the days, 
longer the nights. 
So many cold moons 
have embraced my body. 
- Rachel, Rachel, my wife. 
Silent was Leah. 
With thin, bitter lips, 
she went to her encounter 
with her son Reuben, 
Jacob's firstborn. 
The night was already full 
of the aroma of the flowers 
that were waiting 
for Reuben 
in the field.
 
Translated by Barnett Zumoff 

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