PoemHunter.com

Shema by Primo Levi

7/24/2008 11:10:42 PM
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 

POEMS

LYRICS

MUSIC

QUOTATIONS

SEARCH

   
Primo Levi Primo Levi
(1919 - 1987 / Italy)
Free Poetry E-Book:
3 poems of Primo Levi

File Size: 40k  File Format: Acrobat Reader
To download the eBook right-Click on the title and select "Save Target As". more ebooks >>
   • Biography  Poems  Quotations  Comments  More Info  Stats 

 
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Primo Levi: 2 / 3 next poem >>
  
 
Shema
 
  You who live secure
In your warm houses
Who return at evening to find
Hot food and friendly faces:

Consider whether this is a man,
Who labours in the mud
Who knows no peace
Who fights for a crust of bread
Who dies at a yes or a no.
Consider whether this is a woman,
Without hair or name
With no more strength to remember
Eyes empty and womb cold
As a frog in winter.

Consider that this has been:
I commend these words to you.
Engrave them on your hearts
When you are in your house, when you walk on your way,
When you go to bed, when you rise.
Repeat them to your children.
Or may your house crumble,
Disease render you powerless,
Your offspring avert their faces from you.


Translated by Ruth Feldman And Brian Swann


Anonymous submission.

Primo Levi


Read poems about / on: frog, house, food, strength, winter, woman, remember, children, hair, peace, women, rose, child

User Rating:

7.9 /10
(8 votes)



 
Comments about this poem (Shema by Primo Levi)  more comments >>
Click here to write your comments about this poem (Shema by Primo Levi)
 
Matthew Balnaves (6/13/2005 6:43:00 AM)
Brilliant poem...illustrates the suffering of one of the very few survivors of the most serious attrocity ever. Levi was a truly awesome wordsmith who preached his woes to a world that could never quite understand.
People who read Primo Levi also read: More classic poets:

The complete list >>

Lyrics

The complete list >>

QuickPoll
Overall, how would you rate our website?
Very good
Rather good
Fair
Rather poor
Very poor

 Search in the World Poetry Database => 

 Search:   in:      tips
Hide the search box!

E-MAIL THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND - Found this page interesting? Recommend it to your friend! 
 Your E-mail:  
 Friend's Email:  
   
Your
Message:

 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
7/24/2008 11:10:42 PM. You Are Here: Shema by Primo Levi

Home | Poets | Poems | Lyrics | Music | Quotations | Forum | Search | Random Poem | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites |
Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Annabel Lee | Sorry Poems | Winter Poems