Long Island's Poetry Corner
Are you a poet, artist or musician looking to have your work recognized at
Sid Jacobson JCC? Contact Kate Perelman, PR Coordinator, at kperelman@sjjcc.org for more information.
In February, Jewish teens from around our community brought the spirit of tikkun olam to
New Orleans and San Francisco. In response to his experiences assisting those affected by
Hurricane Katrina, trip participant Ben Zander wrote the following poem.
Disaster Turned Great: An Original Poem
Inspired by events and quotes from February 20, 2012
by Benjamin Seth Zander
Tragedy
Samarity
Hurtness and Prosperity
Who should live
Who should survive
Who to help and who to guide
Disasters happen
Tornadoes
a flood
Hurricane Tsunami
Earthquakes and blood
Whatever it is
Disasters do strike
People need to know
How to save others life
One moment you're rich
While the other guy's poor
But in an instant you're equal
No one's less
No one's more
Your perspective on things
Becomes different from before
You look through new eyes
And it's clear what's at store
You must work with others
As a team and as bros
Nobody has any enemies or foes
Life is reality
Your blindness is peeled
You’re starting to feel now
That everything is real
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Everything you cherish
Becomes desperate treasures
You may lose yourself
On the way to defend
But stay true to yourself
To your heart
To your friend
Worst thing that happens
Is you'll lose lots of things
But what isn't lost is simplicity
Your new outlook on the world
And to the world
What you bring.
