Joy’s Ashes in Israel: An Independent Woman (part 3)…by Robert M. Katzman
Joy’s Ashes in Israel:
An Independent Woman
(part 3)
By Robert M. Katzman © October 30, 2017
Joyce’s Choices:
She chose to marry a Jewish man
She chose to become a Jewish woman
She chose to have Jewish children
She became an excellent Jewish cook
Cloaking herself in the identity she wanted
Even to dying on Sunday, May 14th
Israel’s 69th Independence Day
She chose to lead a Jewish life
Rosh Hashanah//Yom Kippur
Chanukkah//Purim//Passover
New to Joyce’s existence at twenty-five
Were never forced upon her
A life she controlled
Though cancer kept Joyce from Israel
It did not choose her destiny
The man who chose her
The man who loved her
For over forty years
Completed her wishes
In the cool darkness before sunrise
Climbed up the side of Masada
Higher than he remembered
Harder than he remembered
The ultimate symbol of Jewish Resistance
Now a symbol of Joyce’s Resistance
Carried her ashes to the ruins
Of the Fortress in the desert
Where 2000 years ago
900 Jews resisted
The mighty Roman Army
The World’s strongest Empire’s
Determination for two long years
To enslave them
Then chose their own fate
And died by their own hands
When the sun rose over Masada
Bright piercing yellow light
Streaking across the sculpted hills
Heat rising like a prayer
Her husband completed
Joy’ last choice
Joy’s last wish
Felt the now broiling air
Flowing around him
Chose one more moment to hold her
To kiss the felt bag that held her
Resignation chipping away at his soul
Sunlight harshly illuminating
Wrinkles in his working-man’s hands
She knew those aged raised blue veins
The million times his hand held hers
Then he released Joyce’s ashes
To blow free into the wind
Carrying the last of Joyce’s essence
Across the dry desert sands
Across the stark Judean hills
Perhaps even to the Dead Sea
And he watched her ashes
Become part of Israel
Forever
Promise Made
Promise Kept
Shalom
My Love
(To be continued…)
Driving in the Dark: Lost in Israel (part 1) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3736
Bob in Israel: A Crusader Castle; The Tunisian Synagogue (part 2) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3748
Marsha Michael, Who Solved My Problems in Israel (part 4) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3771
Tel Aviv, Israeli radio and Unexpected Art (part 5) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3796
Vad Yashem: Killing Millions of Children (part 6) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3811
Chicago man Watches Death of Samurais in Israel (part 7)//www.differentslants.com/?p=3846
Traveling Alone, Traveling Together (part 8)
//www.differentslants.co/?p=3865
An American Jew’s Bold New Plan for a Sane, Peaceful and Prosperous State of Palestine (part 9) //www.differentslants.co/?p=3887
David’s Star in Israel (part 10) //www.differentslants.co/?p=3907
Sleeping With the Bedouins (part 11-a)
https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3962
Pleading with Fate in Jerusalem (part 12) https://www.differentslants.com/?p=3980
To contact the writer:
robertmkatzman@gmail.com
Publishing News!
Bob Katzman’s two new true Chicago books are now for sale, from him!
Vol. One: A Savage Heart and Vol. Two: Fighting Words
Gritty, violent, friendship, classic American entrepreneurship love, death, heartbreak and the real dirt about surviving in a completely corrupt major city under the Chicago Machine. More history and about one man’s life than a person may imagine.
Please visit my new website: https://www.dontgoquietlypress.com
If a person doesn’t want to use PayPaI, I also have a PO Box & I ship anywhere in America.
Send me a money order with your return and contact info.
I will get your books to you within ten days.
Here’s complete information on how to buy my books:
Vol 1: A Savage Heart and Vol. 2: Fighting Words
My books weigh almost 2 pounds each, with about 525 pages each and there are a total together of 79 stories and story/poems.
Robert M. Katzman
Don’t Go Quietly Press
PO Box 44287
Racine, Wis. 53404-9998 (262)752-3333, 8AM–7PM
Books cost $29.95 each, plus shipping
For: (1)$3.95; (2)$5.95; (3)$7.95; (4)$8.95 (5)$9.95;(6) $10.95
(7) $11.95; (8) $12.95; (9)$13.95 (10)$15.95 (15)$19.95
I am also for hire if anyone wants me to read my work and answer questions in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. Schools should call me for quantity discounts for 30 or more books. Also: businesses, bookstores, private organizations or churches and so on.
My Fighting Words Publishing Co. four original books, published between 2004 and 2007 are now out-of-print. I still have some left and will periodically offer them for sale on my new website.