We All Have a Name

person standing on mountain in front of sea of clouds and sunshine

An interpretive translation of Zelda’s poem, “Le’khol Ish Yesh Shem – לכל איש יש שם”

 

We all have a name

given by God and

given by our parents

 

We all have a name

given by our height and the way we smile

and given by the manner of our dress

 

We all have a name

given by the mountains we climb

and given by the walls that surround us

 

We all have a name

given by the stars that guide us

and given by those with whom we live

 

We all have a name

given by our sins

and given by our desires

 

We all have a name

given by those who hate us

and given by our love

 

We all have a name

given by our moments of celebration

and given by our daily grind

 

We all have a name

given by the seasons of our years

and given by what we cannot see

 

We all have a name

given by the sea

and sealed by our death.

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