Grandfather Berel last seen thrown off a bus
limping after it at the Polish-German border
forgot his velvet bag with Tefillin for daily prayer
the leather box on his brow with strings attached
He and grandma Malka – though strung along
to Holocaust's killing machine – arise from its fiery furnace
embrace fledgling Kfir and little/big brother Ariel
don't cry on Mama Shiri's lap snatched from Nir Oz
Yarden, husband, father October 7th survivor of the Bibas family
my heartstrings with yours entwine – our history
dictates we not be taken hostage to a brutal past
but prompts us bravely to sing a different tune