yv/poetry/leivick/3

		THE MUSEUM OF FAMILY HISTORY presents its
		YIDDISH VINKL POETRY CORNER

The Translations of Leo Dashefsky

H. LEIVICK

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You can read English translation of poems written by some of the more popular and well-known Yiddish writers within this exhibition, courtesy of the late Leo Dashefsky z"l who produced each one of the translations that are being made available to you here.

The poems listed are but a small number of the total of poems translated by Leo Dashefsky; perhaps more will be made available for your perusal in the future.

Currently, you may read a short biography of each of the poets, as well as one or more of their translations. The original Yiddish is not included here, though if anyone possesses a copy of a particular poem in Yiddish, it may be sent to the Museum via e-mail so that it may be added alongside the English translation. If you have the original Yiddish-language version, please contact the Museum at postmaster@museumoffamilyhistory.com.

Please read the lovely dedication of Leo's daughter Batya which is being presented to you as a PowerPoint presentation.

TWO SILVER GOBLETS

(Tsvey zylberne bekher)

by H. Leivick

Two silver goblets upon them engraved

The name of two brothers that fell,

A war was fought in Israel, and now?

The silence of unsung songs will tell.

The brothers are resting in Warburgville,

God forbid to raise your voice,

The mother alone bears her grief

About the two silver goblets -- clearly her choice.

In memory of her two sons are the goblets,

One seventeen, the other was twenty,

Each like the green in the Spring

In battle for Israel forever ready.

They fought with devotions and valor,

Under bunkers and over the hills they were brave,

And now in the finest of writing their names

On two silver goblets engraved.

The mother could well inundate the two silver goblets

With tears running over the rim,

Rather she wants them in use at

The Seder in spite of her mood that is grim.

When Elijah walks in at the Seder,

To hallow the Jew against the profane,

He should savor not tears but wine

The hallowed goblets will contain.

Her tears she restrains, they gush only

When no one is around, with emotion,

To the grass and trees that shade her house

She apologizes for her tribulation.

The grass and the trees share her anguish

And temptation to wail and whine,

Rather they all accept her decree

Not tears in the silver goblets but wine.