For Tisha B’Av 5783

They told us idolatry brought down the Temple the first time
and unmitigated hatred the second time around –
what will they say now that Jerusalem has fallen once more?

They will say it’s finally time to draw back the curtain
in the holy of holies, uncover your false gods
and admit once and for all
that this place you call a “city of peace”
has never known a moment’s peace,
this city conquered and reconquered
this city of promises unkept and dreams unfulfilled
this city of “return” from which there is no return.

They will say your sea of flags will not hide your crimes,
so draw back the curtain and face your illusions:
you cannot save “democracy” that never was,
you cannot claim a place that can never be owned,
your liberation is no liberation
if it does not include the liberation of all.

They will say it’s time to stop your mourning
for something that never was and never can be –
so cease your keening, your unending lamentations
and clear away the fallen stones.

It’s time to let go of this godforsaken city,
this land of idolatrous stone worship,
this crime scene of unceasing bloodshed,
it’s time to uncover the place
where God truly dwells:

the place where liberation is extended
far beyond these walls,
beyond the river and the sea,
a Jerusalem of the heavens
for all who dwell on earth.