How Many Years Have Gone By, My Friend? For David Herzberg Poem by Shalom Freedman

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE GONE BY, MY FRIEND?
(FOR DAVID HERZBERG MAYIM CHAYIM DAVID HILLEL BEN SHRAGA FEIVEL)

How many years have gone by, my friend
Without you here?
How much has happened in all spheres
With you gone?
Both your daughters
You so worried about marrying
Are married now.
You are a grandfather now, twice.
Do you know?

We are still here
So many
For whom you were the best friend of all.
We still miss you
And know
That in teaching the joy of life
In living the Torah
Of making others value themselves.-
You were the best.

Holy teacher.
Shabbos is coming soon.
I will not receive today a call of blessing from you.
But I know
In the highest of the highest of the highest worlds
God is happy talking and laughing with you
And your Holy Teacher, Shlomo also.

God bless you my friend always.