This piece is part of our Witnessing series, which shares pieces from Israeli authors and authors in Israel, as well as the experiences of Jewish writers around the globe in the aftermath of October 7th.
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.
A Hebrew Poet of Muslim Spain Reads the New York Times: Angel of Death
I saw the vapor trail of the angel of death in the sky.
*
Once I heard mother, in the middle of the night, beg
the angel of death to come, come
already for her husband, my father,
who had lain for weeks in a hospital bed.
*
Wherever weapons are deployed, the angel of death
visits mothers. She informs them, the angel, of their children
who she blessed with a parting kiss.
*
A place has been set
before an empty chair.
Somehow, the angel of
death has found her way
to the table, the Shabbat table.
Has the angel of death
renewed her interest in Jews?
*
I speak Hebrew.
I heard the angel of death
speak in a sister language
I do not know.
I also hardly know my brothers.
*
Oh, we misrepresent her
when we claim she has it in
for one type more than another.
The angel of death knows
all of our names.
*
Tonight, a meek aide to the angel of death
ministers to her, trying to comfort her, my mother,
weeping while she waits.
Stop! Stop teasing her, O angel
of death! I know you are near. The shadow
of your wing sweeps, as you circle, over
mother’s face.
*
My son shares
a name with an angel: Gabriel.
He is my strength.
*
When the mutilated
bodies are, finally, sorted out
and identified, family and friends
can, at last, grieve properly.
Will the angel of death
join them in their mourning?
*
I saw the angel of death
on the home page.
(with Shmuel HaNagid, 993‑1056; trans. Peter Cole)
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author, based on their observations and experiences.
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Richard Chess is the author of four books of poetry, most recently Love Nailed to the Doorpost (University of Tampa Press 2017). New work has recently appeared or is forthcoming in The Sun, Pensive, Vita Poetica, and Lubavitch International. He is emeritus professor of English at UNC Asheville. He is a regular contributor to “Close Reading,” the blog hosted by SLANT Books. He directed UNC Asheville’s Center for Jewish Studies for 30 years. He is a founding board member of Yetzirah: A Hearth for Jewish Poetry. You can find more information, along with more of his work, at richardchess.com.
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