Kipling's 'Zion'
While the most recent noted Nobel Prize winner would have us give up on Zion, a more veteran winner (although not for Peace, but rather for Literature) advises a more tenacious approach.
Zion
by Rudyard Kipling
The Doorkeepers of Zion,
They do not always stand
In helmet and whole armour,
With halberds in their hand;
But, being sure of Zion,
And all her mysteries,
They rest awhile in Zion,
Sit down and smile in Zion;
Ay, even jest in Zion;
In Zion, at their ease.
The Gatekeepers of Baal,
They dare not sit or lean,
But fume and fret and posture
And foam and curse between;
For being bound to Baal,
Whose sacrifice is vain,
Their rest is scant with Baal,
They glare and pant for Baal
They mouth and rant for Baal,
For Baal in their pain!
But we will go to Zion,
By choice and not through dread,
With these our present comrades
And those our present dead;
And, being free of Zion
In both her fellowships,
Sit down and sup in Zion --
Stand up and drink in Zion
Whatever cup in Zion
Is offered to our lips!
Zion
by Rudyard Kipling
The Doorkeepers of Zion,
They do not always stand
In helmet and whole armour,
With halberds in their hand;
But, being sure of Zion,
And all her mysteries,
They rest awhile in Zion,
Sit down and smile in Zion;
Ay, even jest in Zion;
In Zion, at their ease.
The Gatekeepers of Baal,
They dare not sit or lean,
But fume and fret and posture
And foam and curse between;
For being bound to Baal,
Whose sacrifice is vain,
Their rest is scant with Baal,
They glare and pant for Baal
They mouth and rant for Baal,
For Baal in their pain!
But we will go to Zion,
By choice and not through dread,
With these our present comrades
And those our present dead;
And, being free of Zion
In both her fellowships,
Sit down and sup in Zion --
Stand up and drink in Zion
Whatever cup in Zion
Is offered to our lips!
Labels: Malkah, poetry, Rudyard Kipling, Zion
2 Comments:
At October 18, 2009 at 9:11 PM , Oklahoma said...
President (Show Us The Birth Certificate) ObuMer received the Nobel Peace Prize for Perfecting the Art of Graveling at the feet of Muslim Terrorists world wide.
Oh yea, and for the best #%& ring kisser.
At October 21, 2009 at 5:20 AM , Zhenia said...
What a beautiful poem, rarely read and almost forgotten. It reminds us about romance and youthful hope of Jews returning to the Promised Land and rebuilding a Jewish life. There is not enough poetry in education, conversations, media, out thoughts and our life!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home