I appreciate the reference to "poems/songs" in this response, since this song struck me very much as a poem...and then I remembered the overlap between "poem" and "song" in Hebrew....
Etgar, translation or not, I can’t help but think that when you wrote this beautiful song, jostling in your mind (subconscious mind?) were the lyrics of The Weight - the great song by The Band - “Take a load off Fanny . . .” - basically about sharing our burdens in life, with others.
Chaval! I wish I had known that you were at the University of Maryland. I would have loved to have listened to you. The last time was a number of years ago in Baltimore MD. I've been waiting for a return.
I used to write a lot of poetry growing up and through the 80’s when I studied English literature and creative writing in college. I mentioned to a friend when the subject of bears came up, that I had written a poem about a bear recently. He said Oh you write poetry? I said not anymore just one at the end of the summer each year. He said to me, well after 32 years that will be 32 poems. And even though it was an odd thing to say, particularly choosing that random number, it made sense. There would be zero poems or songs or stories or jokes if we didn’t try and sit down and do it. So well done to you. Of course you can write songs. You can write anything!
Lovely song. I am glad that you weren’t approached to collaborate by a greeting card company, or on second thought, a card written by you is just what I would enjoy for my birthday (November 14, if you are interested).
But the real point is how do we overcome aloneness. How can someone who doesn’t have as much to offer as a brilliant writer find a person to do things with? My take away from this post is to reach out as the singer did. It might be never that someone reaches out to me.
This is very good. It's encouraging to know others struggle with the same dilemmas, which can be overcome by knowing this- a circular thing. Knowing we are each alone, together, not alone. Still alone. Is aloneness sacred? Does it encompass everything?
“In tough times, alone is no good.” I emphasize with Arkadi’s words, and want to understand how difficult the situation is for the people of Israel. I hope some day I can hear the songs you wrote. You have always made something extraordinary through the collaboration with other artists!
By the way, I didn't notice you were coming to U.S. What a shame! I would have visited you if I had known!
I'm on a sabbatical leave in NYC and will be here until March 2025. Before coming here I wanted to spend the latter half of it in Israel but I gave it up due to the difficult situation there. Currently Konan University doesn't allow us to travel to Isreal because of the warning from the Japanese government.
During the first six months of the war I was on a sabbatical leave in Haifa, with my little Israeli family: my son, his wife, my two little grand kids. I felt, like many Israelis felt, that no one understood us. I am back in the diaspora, feeling like many diaspora Jews feel, that no one loves us. I never knew that aloneness could come in so many flavors. Could you send this song in Hebrew? Reading it in Hebrew will be company. Thanks
I love your writing and your newsletter, Etgar, and the song you wrote is pure! Wanted to let you know that I had printed an earlier poem/song and posted it in my kitchen for occasional re-reading because I love it so much. It's called Alive and has a picture of your rabbit. Please know that your words often inspire contemplation; hope you know how wonderful it is that you share them.
So sweet. I like it!
Have you ever considered Plan B - being a poet? Or is that exclusive to your father-in-law.
And, BTW - you should tour the West coast. Bring your son and you won't be lonely. Great suntan vibes in California, too.
Just sayin' . . .
I think that I would have never dared to write all these poems/songs if he was still alive.
I appreciate the reference to "poems/songs" in this response, since this song struck me very much as a poem...and then I remembered the overlap between "poem" and "song" in Hebrew....
Etgar, translation or not, I can’t help but think that when you wrote this beautiful song, jostling in your mind (subconscious mind?) were the lyrics of The Weight - the great song by The Band - “Take a load off Fanny . . .” - basically about sharing our burdens in life, with others.
אתגר, מתאימה לך שירה, תודה על השיתוף. יש משהו בשירה שמאפשר ישירות וגילוי שלפעמים מסתתרים בשורות ארוכות יותר.
Chaval! I wish I had known that you were at the University of Maryland. I would have loved to have listened to you. The last time was a number of years ago in Baltimore MD. I've been waiting for a return.
I hope yo come to Baltimore sometimes next year🤞
And somehow, I, too, had missed the news about your US tour until I just saw it mentioned on JTA.
I used to write a lot of poetry growing up and through the 80’s when I studied English literature and creative writing in college. I mentioned to a friend when the subject of bears came up, that I had written a poem about a bear recently. He said Oh you write poetry? I said not anymore just one at the end of the summer each year. He said to me, well after 32 years that will be 32 poems. And even though it was an odd thing to say, particularly choosing that random number, it made sense. There would be zero poems or songs or stories or jokes if we didn’t try and sit down and do it. So well done to you. Of course you can write songs. You can write anything!
Soo good :)
Lovely song. I am glad that you weren’t approached to collaborate by a greeting card company, or on second thought, a card written by you is just what I would enjoy for my birthday (November 14, if you are interested).
But the real point is how do we overcome aloneness. How can someone who doesn’t have as much to offer as a brilliant writer find a person to do things with? My take away from this post is to reach out as the singer did. It might be never that someone reaches out to me.
This is very good. It's encouraging to know others struggle with the same dilemmas, which can be overcome by knowing this- a circular thing. Knowing we are each alone, together, not alone. Still alone. Is aloneness sacred? Does it encompass everything?
I love it!!! And he is right. Being alone is not a good thing but sometimes we are alone even when we are with other people.
My family is only seven people, but they are EVERYTHING. We are never alone. Thank all the gods. Beautiful writing, Etgar.
“In tough times, alone is no good.” I emphasize with Arkadi’s words, and want to understand how difficult the situation is for the people of Israel. I hope some day I can hear the songs you wrote. You have always made something extraordinary through the collaboration with other artists!
By the way, I didn't notice you were coming to U.S. What a shame! I would have visited you if I had known!
You are in the U.S. right now?
I'm on a sabbatical leave in NYC and will be here until March 2025. Before coming here I wanted to spend the latter half of it in Israel but I gave it up due to the difficult situation there. Currently Konan University doesn't allow us to travel to Isreal because of the warning from the Japanese government.
If you have chance to come to NYC, let me know!
During the first six months of the war I was on a sabbatical leave in Haifa, with my little Israeli family: my son, his wife, my two little grand kids. I felt, like many Israelis felt, that no one understood us. I am back in the diaspora, feeling like many diaspora Jews feel, that no one loves us. I never knew that aloneness could come in so many flavors. Could you send this song in Hebrew? Reading it in Hebrew will be company. Thanks
added a link to the Hebrew version at the bottom of the post! and here:
https://etgarkeret.com/media/uploads/files/keret-hamon.pdf
As good as the translation may be, the original Hebrew has resonances beyond the words. So beautiful
Yes to collaboration!, in hard times especially. But even without the collaboration your emails are so welcome
Look at you! You're 'keeping your head about you when all are
losing theirs'! Easier said than done, bravo. 💞☮️
I love your writing and your newsletter, Etgar, and the song you wrote is pure! Wanted to let you know that I had printed an earlier poem/song and posted it in my kitchen for occasional re-reading because I love it so much. It's called Alive and has a picture of your rabbit. Please know that your words often inspire contemplation; hope you know how wonderful it is that you share them.
Respect Etgar!