When from afar you see this wall
You can’t help but think that overall
It’s not particularly tall
It’s actually small
It’s appearance unexceptional
Underwhelming and dispensable
You ponder and ponder
What about it causes wonder
But As you approach it
A certain feeling encroaches
That’s mystical and magical
Majestic and Supernatural
Enchanting and powerful
You begin to feel emotional
True beauty can never be seen
So you stop trying see it
You close you’re eyes and you feel it
There’s a quiet beauty deep beneath it
At the end It’s just a wall
Not at all tall
Old and small
But if you see past the surface of the wall
You see it is grandest of them all
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Comment:
I was feeling down. Exhausted and unsure. Nervous. So I decided to go down to the Kotel, the Western Wall. We believe that although Gd is everywhere, His presence rests there. When I got to the wall, I pulled up a chair, zoned out looking at this wall. And I couldn’t help but thinking it’s not even such a nice wall. But as I spent time there, I felt comforted. Inspired. At peace. I knew this too will pass. That no matter what I’m not alone.
I wrote this poem at the time.