Penelope in Israel

Paralysed I perceived deeper within and wider without,

Entering the El Al² plane fluttering to Israel stout.

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Never had I been so afraid and so proud to be Jewish.

Everyone can discover the truth which is often bluish.

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Lovely to see the country whose name I wear like a lion.

Only my mane has waned on my way to awakened Zion.

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Penelope sewed so much for so much more, when she saw him.

Every part of me, even my hair, hummed Israel a hymn.

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In the streets, the sounds seemed muffled by the cries flying up high.

Now, many more Jews finally understood the Roman lie.

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In the supermarket, the tomatoes looked like Turkey’s flag.

Some Dogs tend to bark for all the displeasure of losing tag.

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Radicalism is the opium of the people as well,

Although most religions preach love and life for the gospel bell.

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Enveloping my mind with thoughts of Athena’s true story,

Lifted my heart, letting me tally all Israel’s glory.

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¹ A mantinada typically consists of a Cretan 15-syllable rhyming couplet. Mantinades is the plural.

² El Al, which means “upwards”, “to the skies” and “skywards”, in Hebrew, is the name of Israel’s flag carrier.