Chagall’s 83rd birthday – My Life in Poems

As long as I can remember, I have loved Marc Chagall’s paintings.

This poem of mine was published in a literary magazine in 1970 in celebration of Chagall’s 83rd birthday.

To Marc Chagall

Sorrow washed your father’s face
the day that you were born
Chagall
your singing rabbis weeping
and your unborn children dancing

Ride over rooftops
Chagall Chagall
We must keep singing

I laughed at your weeping rabbis
until they began to sing

In Jerusalem
Chagall
they sing your song
in the streets
Chagall Chagall
Ride over rooftops
We must keep singing

Sing softly Chagall
for your weeping rabbis
are sleeping
Chagall Chagall

Vitebsk
is a watercolour splashed dream
and my unborn children
are dying

Ride over rooftops
Chagall Chagall
We must keep singing