A touch of warmth had broken through
The calloused frosts of winter’s months.
From all around the children came,
To find a spot where they could play.
They scaled the heights of plywood forts,
And jumped upon the soaring swings
That rose from under winter’s snows,
Like crocus in the early spring.
In the corner of the park
A carousel went round and round;
Its shadow casting dark and light
With children jumping off and on.
The watchful eyes of wary moms
Ensured their children met no harm,
While other elders stood around,
Bundled up in knitted scarves,
Speaking to their passing friends,
Discussing all the latest trends.
I came upon this pleasant scene
Remembering a prior day
When I would bring my children there,
To let them run and watch them play.
We were young and did not know
That life would race as we grew old.
The future stretched out endlessly;
Our dreams encompassed everything.
All was promise, all was hope.
We reigned as if immortal kings.
From the corner of my eye
I spied two lovers walking by,
Holding hands as lovers will,
Unfazed by all the children’s cries.
Once again my mind flashed back
To former times when love was free
Without a price that need be paid,
Or so it seemed that way to me.
The shining sun began to fall;
The carousel kept round and round,
With children, flying off and on,
Their crumpled coats upon the ground.
On a bench not far away
I sat there leaning on my cane,
Surprised at how the world could change,
And manage yet to stay the same.
As daylight rays began to fade,
In the air a chilling breeze
Pushed away my reveries
And told me it was time to leave.
But I can hear within my head
The carousel still going round,
The steady beat of children’s feet
Slipping off and leaping on;
And I have come to understand -
What had been lost might still be found.
Whisper softly memory
The hopes and lies of yesteryear;
Whisper in my failing ears,
Whisper whom I still might be.
- Finding the Light of G‑d, pages 127-129