'A Jewish Cemetery In Germany' by Yehuda Amichai
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On a little hill amid fertile fields lies a small cemetery,
a Jewish cemetery behind a rusty gate, hidden by shrubs,
abandoned and forgotten. Neither the sound of prayer
nor the voice of lamentation is heard there
for the dead praise not the Lord.
Only the voices of our children ring out, seeking graves
and cheering
each time they find one--like mushrooms in the forest, like
wild strawberries.
Here's another grave! There's the name of my mother's
mothers, and a name from the last century. And here's a name,
and there! And as I was about to brush the moss from the name--
Look! an open hand engraved on the tombstone, the grave
of a kohen,
his fingers splayed in a spasm of holiness and blessing,
and here's a grave concealed by a thicket of berries
that has to be brushed aside like a shock of hair
from the face of a beautiful beloved woman.
Translated by Chana Bloch and Chana Kronfeld
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Jewish Cemetery in Germany: A Masterpiece by Yehuda Amichai
Yehuda Amichai's "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the complexities of memory, history, and identity. Through his evocative language and imagery, Amichai explores the ways in which the past continues to shape the present, and the enduring legacy of loss and grief.
The Setting: A Jewish Cemetery in Germany
The poem begins with a description of the setting - a Jewish cemetery in a small German town. Amichai sets the tone with a vivid and haunting image:
In the small southern German town of Schopfloch, The old Jewish cemetery lies on a gentle hillside, And the dead yew trees surround it.
The image of the dead yew trees is particularly striking - it suggests that the cemetery is not just a place of remembrance, but also a site of decay and death. The fact that the cemetery is located in Germany, a country with a complex and troubled history, adds to the sense of unease and tension.
Memory and History
One of the central themes of the poem is the relationship between memory and history. Amichai suggests that the past is not something that can be easily forgotten, but rather something that continues to shape our present experiences.
Here the past breaks through like a flood, Like water through a broken dam.
The image of the flood is a powerful one, suggesting that the weight of history is overwhelming and unstoppable. Amichai goes on to describe the way in which the past manifests itself in the present, through the objects and remnants of the past:
Here are the gravestones, worn by time, And the rusted wrought-iron fence, And the broken shards of pottery That once held flowers.
These objects are tangible reminders of the people who once lived and died in this place. They are also symbols of the ways in which the past continues to haunt the present, and the difficulty of finding closure and moving on.
Identity and Belonging
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity and belonging. Amichai suggests that the Jewish cemetery is a site of both connection and disconnection - a place where the dead are remembered, but where the living are also reminded of their separateness.
Here are our ancestors, our roots, The flowering branches of our family tree. Here we belong, but we do not belong.
The paradox of belonging and not belonging is a central tension in the poem. Amichai suggests that the Jewish cemetery is a place of connection and continuity, but also a reminder of the loss and displacement that has characterized the Jewish experience throughout history.
Conclusion
In "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany," Yehuda Amichai creates a powerful and evocative portrait of memory, history, and identity. Through his careful use of imagery and language, he captures the complex and ambivalent emotions that arise when we confront the legacies of the past. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to help us grapple with the weight of history, and to find meaning and connection in our collective human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Jewish Cemetery In Germany: An Ode to the Past
Yehuda Amichai's poem, A Jewish Cemetery In Germany, is a poignant and powerful tribute to the Jewish people who lived and died in Germany. The poem is a reflection on the history of the Jewish people in Germany, and the impact of the Holocaust on their lives. Amichai's words are a reminder of the importance of remembering the past, and the need to honor those who have come before us.
The poem begins with a description of the cemetery, which is "hidden among the houses" and "forgotten by the living." The cemetery is a symbol of the past, a reminder of the lives that were lost and the people who once lived in the area. The image of the cemetery being hidden and forgotten is a powerful one, as it suggests that the history of the Jewish people in Germany has been erased and forgotten by the living.
Amichai then describes the graves in the cemetery, which are "crowded together" and "tilted." The graves are a symbol of the Jewish people's struggle to survive in Germany, and the hardships they faced. The fact that the graves are crowded together and tilted suggests that the Jewish people were not given enough space to live and thrive in Germany, and that they were forced to live in cramped and difficult conditions.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Amichai describes the graves of his own family members. He describes the graves as being "like the faces of children who die in their mothers' arms." This image is a powerful one, as it suggests that the Jewish people who died in Germany were innocent victims, who were taken from their families and loved ones too soon.
Amichai then reflects on the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish people. He describes the Holocaust as a "black hole" that has "swallowed up the past." This image is a powerful one, as it suggests that the Holocaust has erased the history of the Jewish people in Germany, and that their lives and experiences have been forgotten.
Despite this, Amichai remains hopeful. He suggests that the Jewish people who died in Germany are not truly gone, but are still present in the world around us. He writes, "They are still here, in the broken dishes and the rusty locks, in the stones and the weeds." This image is a powerful one, as it suggests that the Jewish people who died in Germany are still present in the world, and that their memory lives on.
In the final stanza of the poem, Amichai reflects on the importance of remembering the past. He writes, "We must remember them all, and not forget a single one." This line is a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring the memory of those who have come before us, and of the need to learn from the past.
Overall, A Jewish Cemetery In Germany is a powerful and moving tribute to the Jewish people who lived and died in Germany. Amichai's words are a reminder of the importance of remembering the past, and of the need to honor those who have come before us. The poem is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Jewish people, and a reminder that their memory lives on.
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