Tag Archives: Jerusalem

The Point of a Compass

I left home before graduation and moved in with him when I was seventeen. My mother called the police and said he was “harboring a minor.” The police car picked me up at his apartment to take me home. I went back the next day. She also took my passport. I reported it as stolen, and he bought me a new one. We went to the courthouse on my 18th birthday and signed the marriage certificate. A month later, we were on a plane to Israel.

The first compasses did not always point north. Early compasses pointed east.

Because the Poets are Healers

                    This is just a piece of what’s going on in the world. 276 Nigerian girls kidnapped, three Israeli boys kidnapped and murdered, a Palestinian boy kidnapped and murdered, burned alive. I live in Jerusalem, so the latter is more poignant; there has been rioting, violence,Continue reading “Because the Poets are Healers”

Pico Iyer Asks: “Where is Home?” I Say: “Home is Babel”

Pico Iyer asks: “Where is home?” I say: “Home is Babel.” In this amazing TED talk (I know, I know, ALL TED Talks are amazing, but this one is special!) Pico Iyer just articulated everything I already knew but am just beginning to coherently express about myself. I am debating whether or not to tellContinue reading “Pico Iyer Asks: “Where is Home?” I Say: “Home is Babel””

Young Writers’ Evening at Tmol Shilshom

Since my first poetry slam, I’ve been getting busy with poetry, doing more readings this year than ever before, EVER. This event is from June 3, 2013 at Tmol Shilshom, a bookstore cafe restaurant in Jerusalem, made famous for being a place where “Israel’s best known writers read from their works.” These days, it isContinue reading “Young Writers’ Evening at Tmol Shilshom”

The First Poets of Babel Meeting! (…was 3 months ago!)

Four months and 16 days later, the first meeting of Poets of Babel has finally taken place and it was amazing. We were only 7, but then again 7 is the number of perfection. Ira, a Russian Israeli and Hebrew teacher arrived first. I met Ira at Hillel House in 2008 when I made myContinue reading “The First Poets of Babel Meeting! (…was 3 months ago!)”

Strangers

I have a confession: I’m afraid of the make-up ladies in SuperPharm. It doesn’t matter which branch; they are all the same to me. Downtown Jerusalem at 21:47 on a Sunday just looks downright seedy in general. Everyone appeared shady tonight, just like a page out of the Berenstain Bears book about strangers. For example,Continue reading “Strangers”