This piece was originally published by The Tel Aviv Review of Books.
This piece is part of an ongoing series that we are sharing from Israeli authors and authors in Israel.
It is critical to understand history not just through the books that will be written later, but also through the first-hand testimonies and real-time accounting of events as they occur. At Jewish Book Council, we understand the value of these written testimonials and of sharing these individual experiences. It’s more important now than ever to give space to these voices and narratives.
In collaboration with the Jewish Book Council, JBI is recording writers’ first-hand accounts, as shared with and published by JBC, to increase the accessibility of these accounts for individuals who are blind, have low vision or are print disabled.
A. Where is the song
Song of Love
That buds in hollows of the heart
Why does it wander streets alone
and creep into pages as sadness.
Through the stormy streets
and the gardens bloom in wind
It walks with sorrow
seeking a bosom to rest
B. An island of song
Song of Love
Hidden in the grey of Autumn
Why does the green pale on boughs
shedding falling leaves.
Through the stormy streets
and the trees stand bowed.
It walks with sorrow
seeking Spring to blossom
The Kidnapped Poet
Amongst the 240 plus kidnapped citizens on October 7 is the eighty-five-year-old poet and composer, Amiram Cooper – taken hostage with his wife Nurit from their Kibbutz, Nir Oz. Nurit has since been released by her Hamas captors. Born in Haifa in 1938, Amiram was one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, arriving in 1957, and living peacefully, raising a family and building a community there until darkness descended on October 7. An economist by profession, Amiram has composed songs and poetry for over sixty years. He has often collaborated on the melodies with fellow kibbutz members or members from other kibbutzim. He has authored two compilations of poetry. His work is documented on the Hebrew website Shira Ovedet–“Working song.’’ This site documents a whole gamut of Kibbutznikim who combined song and labor from the earliest days of the Hebrew Yishuv, and then after Independence. These are artists who never became mainstream, but whose rich Hebrew texts breathed life into the modern, revived Hebrew language.
“Love Song,” was composed especially for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Nir Oz, in 1980.
While Amiram remains hidden in some Gazan dungeon tunnel, his poetry should not be. Rather, it should be read and enjoyed by as many citizens of the world, who should demand his immediate and unconditional release. Find the Shira Ovedet page dedicated to Amiram Cooper here. Listen to a recording of the song here.
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author, based on their observations and experiences.
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Amongst the 240 plus kidnapped citizens on October 7 is the eighty-five-year-old poet and composer, Amiram Cooper – taken hostage with his wife Nurit from their Kibbutz, Nir Oz. Nurit has since been released by her Hamas captors. Born in Haifa in 1938, Amiram was one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, arriving in 1957, and living peacefully, raising a family and building a community there until darkness descended on October 7. An economist by profession, Amiram has composed songs and poetry for over sixty years. He has often collaborated on the melodies with fellow kibbutz members or members from other kibbutzim. He has authored two compilations of poetry. His work is documented on the Hebrew website Shira Ovedet–“Working song.’’ Find the Shira Ovedet page dedicated to Amiram Cooper here. Listen to a recording of the song here.
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