Kathryn Hellerstein

Poem by Moyshe-Leyb Halpern (Translated by Kathryn Hellerstein)

MEMENTO MORI

And should Moyshe-Leyb, the poet, say
That he saw Death along the waves
Just as he sees himself in the mirror,
And it was in the morning, around ten—
Will they believe Moyshe-Leyb?

And should Moyshe-Leyb have greeted Death
With his hand in the air and asked how things are,
Just then, while thousands of people
Were in the water living it up—
Will they believe Moyshe-Leyb?

And should Moyshe-Leyb, in tears, have sworn
That he is drawn to Death
As a desiring man at dusk is drawn
To the window of a woman he adores—
Will they believe Moyshe-Leyb?

And should Moyshe-Leyb have then portrayed
Death—dazzling, colorful, not gray
And dark—as he appeared around ten,
Alone, between sky and waves—
Will they believe Moyshe-Leyb?