For two years, I held my breath
October 7th is a day I’ll never forget
The person I was before is not who I am
I never understood the true meaning of “never again.”
But that Shabbat, I sat in silence
Hit with a wave of anxiety as I realized it wasn’t a promise
Never again is a duty to be upheld
And on October 7th, 2023, we had failed
The following weeks, I held my tongue
Never knowing who I was among
Would I have to hide my Magen David
Or could I wear it with pride, finally feeling free
The timer kept counting
The trend less resounding
So many lost and not yet found
Suffering, while the world didn’t make a sound
Those of us who still gave them thought
Continued to fight, more days than not
The only thing we got in return
Were bandwagon chants we couldn’t unlearn
They’d scream and shout, “from the river to the sea”
Never understanding this was caused by letting them free
For two years, people gathered every week
Bringing them home is what they’d seek
Reminded of them by extra candles and chairs
Hoping things will soon be solved with international affairs
Living in awareness of the privilege I hold
Carefully reading deal after deal proposed
Two years later, they are finally free
Finally, we exhale
Knowing we’ll never return to the people we used to be