Silence (a Passover poem)

The following poem was written by Leda C, a Hinenu member who is in 6th grade, and offered at the 5786/2026 2nd Night Community Seder.

Silence 

Leda Clookie

Oh my dear son,

What have I done,

What  sin have I committed,

What terrible crime have I been found guilty of,

To get you ripped from me,

Torn from my very arms?

Could this really be the work of God?

For could they,

The good and righteous,

Have done this? 

For,

How could I,

Have done horrors,

So much as to invoke this?

Noise.

I do not wish to hear noise,

Except for the sound of my own breathing,

And sobs.

Send out the Jews,

Make them believe they have won,

Cast them out across the red sea,

Across the barren desert,

To the home,

The promise land,

They claim to know. 

Send out the Jews, 

Stop every construction,

And send every Egyptian into their homes,

So that every sound,

Will be ceased,

And we can all sit in silence,

And grieve what we have lost.

Author’s Note: This poem was inspired by the story of Passover (Moses). I decided that it was important to note pharaoh’s grief after the loss of his son, and his realization of what he had done wrong.