'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 gravesand cheering
each time they find one--like mushrooms in the forest, likewild 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 graveof 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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Jewish Cemetery In Germany: A Poetic Exploration of History, Loss, and Identity

When I first read Yehuda Amichai's "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany," I was struck by the haunting imagery and the depth of emotion conveyed in the poem. As I delved deeper into the poem, I discovered a rich tapestry of themes and motifs that reflect Amichai's unique perspective as a Jewish writer exploring the legacy of the Holocaust and the complexities of identity in a post-war world.

At its core, "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany" is a meditation on the power of memory, both personal and collective. The poem opens with a description of the cemetery, with its "ancient stones / like a bed of crocodiles / in the sun." Here, Amichai sets the scene for a journey into the past, inviting the reader to contemplate the lives and stories of those buried in the cemetery. The poem's speaker acknowledges their own connection to this history, stating "I too, have no grandfather / buried here, but I am a grandson / of all that happened."

This sense of connection and ancestry is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on their own identity and the legacy of the Holocaust. Amichai's language is striking in its imagery and intensity, as he describes the tombstones as "a forest of hands / that have lost their way," and the shadows as "the ghosts of a people / rising up like smoke."

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to grapple with the impossibility of truly understanding and coming to terms with the events of the past. They describe the cemetery as a "book with pages missing," and acknowledge that even the names and dates on the tombstones can only tell a small part of each person's story. The poem's final lines, with their evocative imagery of "the light that comes from I don't know where," suggest a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that mirrors the complexities of history and memory.

In addition to its exploration of memory and identity, "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany" also raises questions about the role of art and literature in grappling with the legacy of the Holocaust. Amichai's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, creating a sense of visceral emotion and urgency that speaks to the power of poetry to illuminate and connect us to the world around us.

Overall, "A Jewish Cemetery in Germany" is a stunning work of poetry that speaks to the complexity of human experience and the power of memory and identity. Amichai's rich imagery and evocative language invite the reader to contemplate the weight of history and the importance of bearing witness to the stories of those who came before us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a powerful medium that can evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different places and times. One such poem that does all of this and more is "A Jewish Cemetery In Germany" by Yehuda Amichai. This classic poem is a poignant and powerful reflection on the complex relationship between Jews and Germany, and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust.

Yehuda Amichai was an Israeli poet who was born in Germany in 1924 and moved to Palestine in 1936. He is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century, and his work has been translated into over 40 languages. "A Jewish Cemetery In Germany" is one of his most famous poems, and it was first published in 1963.

The poem is set in a Jewish cemetery in Germany, and it begins with a description of the graves and the names on them. Amichai writes, "The graves grow older and the names on them / grow strange and more strange." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the passage of time and the way that history can be both forgotten and remembered.

As the poem continues, Amichai reflects on the relationship between Jews and Germany. He writes, "The Jews are still here, / but Germany is no longer here." This line is a powerful statement about the way that the Holocaust has forever changed the relationship between Jews and Germany. The Jews may still be present in Germany, but the Germany that they knew before the war is gone forever.

Amichai also reflects on the way that the Holocaust has affected the Jewish people. He writes, "We have learned to walk in silence, / to listen to the silence, / to feel the silence." This line is a powerful reminder of the trauma that the Jewish people have experienced, and the way that it has affected their relationship with the world around them.

The poem also contains a powerful metaphor for the relationship between Jews and Germany. Amichai writes, "The Jews are like a tree / that has been cut down and cut down again." This metaphor is a powerful reminder of the way that the Jewish people have been persecuted throughout history, and the way that they have been forced to rebuild their lives again and again.

Despite the darkness of the poem, there is also a sense of hope and resilience. Amichai writes, "But the roots of the tree / go deep, deep into the earth." This line is a reminder that despite the trauma and pain that the Jewish people have experienced, they have also been able to survive and thrive.

In conclusion, "A Jewish Cemetery In Germany" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the complex relationship between Jews and Germany, and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust. Through his use of metaphor, imagery, and language, Yehuda Amichai is able to capture the pain, trauma, and resilience of the Jewish people. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different places and times.

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