Amichai’s Top 50/46 “Papa can you hear me”
Those who have worked closely with me over the years know one of the sure signs of stress: I start singing ‘Papa can you hear me… ‘ Why? Who knows. Prayer? Dark humor? Perspective? But there you have it. Thank you Barbara for endless stress relief.
I saw the movie Yentl with my parents in 1983, in a movie theater in Miami. I think it’s the only time I went to a movie together with the both of them. I dont remember that we spoke about cross dressing and other troubling motifs to a religious kid but I do remember the last scene of Yentel walking alone through the forest and on the boat to America – a refugee, an immigrant, alone and disguised as another, seeking safety and guidance from within and above — I already knew enough about myself to identify with this human quest for being.
I listen to the song now that my papa is also in heaven the song had taken on a different, deeper tone. Not so much about my journey but about his – he too was a young refugee, orphaned, walking away from death camps through dark forests and times to find and build a home.
I remember ev’rything you thought me
Ev’ry book I’ve ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
Less stress! More Barbara. Papa. I can hear you. Thank you both.
Amichai
Amichai’s Top 50: Soundtrack of my life. 4/20-6-8 2019/Passover-Shavuot 5779
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