This is about the second poem that Sara had prepared for our first meeting. We didn’t do a drawing but received the poem by email. Since I really love poetry decided to read it. Had to get help with the analysis and it hit me, I still have chills when I think of it. The Journey by Mary Oliver. This is about me. How could that be possible.. 

In 1957 I made aliyah, at the time I called it trip, to Israel.. I had to get away, It was something that at the time was more subconscious. I made my plans without telling anyone.  October 1957 I boarded the SS Zion. 

My brother was already married with a son, but I left my 2 younger sisters aged around 10 and 11 in what I now call a dysfunctional household.  I have been carrying , for a long time, the guilt.  I knew rationally that I couldn’t help them but still felt the guilt.

I knew that the only one that I could save was myself… and then this poem came into my life.  I hope with this poem I will start to heal.

“the only thing you could do __

determined to save

the only life you could save.                 

Mary Oliver