LAMENT
Cantor Matthew Austerklein 8 Av 5780
The temple is in ashes; The promise of the presence Tossed aside, Overwhelmed by the tehom On whose face darkness first was.
For the jewels of the temple, its servants are sold into bondage; For the hope of its restoration, its priests are spurned in raging anger.
Between the cherubs’ wings, Where once silence revealed the spirit’ s Word A fearsome vacuum opens its mouth, And batters ambiguities with bile.
The mystery of the world No longer is the presence of the One, But His absence in the hearts of men Who joyless wait until the serpent strikes.
A distant ledger opens And the ram bleats for its horn. For the high price of repentance, Will this flock have no shepherd?
For the sheep wander fearfully in the field And stand upon two legs to count themselves, Not knowing the one that counts them. Such a counting of sheep makes one lose sleep.
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