Hilà Lahav - THE LESSER EVIL

The lesser evil is dwelling
in the streets.
Armed, hence
righteous.
One last child is to die tomorrow,
His eyes gaping

Hush now, Ismael,
Let my ever-singing hand
seek your revenge,
I'll haunt his soldiers
With your trembling voice.

The lesser evil – that celestial eunuch
Sings but his
own hymns.

But how clear and loud you're heard
By those who crowd
the unbombed streets.

"Hark,"
they say, "how sweetly
the little blackbird tweets."

Translated by the author