Aharon Shabtai

Tikkun

The horror
the dreadful disaster
disgrace
fractions of folly
dumb religion
obscurity of eyes
violent despair
won't repair, no officer
no bomb, no airplane
no more blood
heart-wisdom alone will repair
the physician alone will repair
the surgeon, the good teacher
the instructor alone will repair,
the medic, Arab, Jew, will amend
the calm traveller, the bike-rider
the sandwich carrier
crossing the street.
The one who opens the eyes will amend
The one who speaks in compassion
Will heal, the listener will amend,
The enlighted will amend,
awaiting and pausing will amend,
the guide in paths of generosity, of affection,
will amend, the painter will amend, the poet
will amend, disciples of peace will amend,
the gardeners of peace.

 

14.10.2023

 

 

 

Translated by Helit Yeshurun & Lilach Lachman
The poem was first published in Dibur Literary Journal

About the Author

Aharon Shabtai (b. Tel Aviv, 1939), studied ancient Greek and Philosophy at the Hebrew University. Since his first book of poems, 'The Teachers' Room' (1966), he has published over twenty books of poetry. The last one, 'Requiem', was released this year (2024). He taught Greek poetry and Drama at the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University. He spent 40 years translating the best of ancient Greek poetry, the 'Iliad and Odyssey', all the tragedies, Aristophanes, Hesiodos and Pindros. Shabtai is the father of six children, and lives in Tel Aviv.