Zalman Poem by gary polonsky

a sonnet

I recall when Zalman's eyes and mine did meet
Each other's, my first Shabbat in Whitby Shul,
I'd glimpsed a menorah on the street
Which, my imagination served to fuel.
From that time on, his acumen amazed,
Never had I met a kid that smart
And I met thousands in my days,
Yet Zalman seemed a stratosphere apart.

I recall our final weekend ere the change,
Deanna, I and Zalman sitting next,
I mentioned after, something seemed quite strange
As how oft he ‎grilled the Rabbi's text.
On Monday, the news conveyed a new Entebbe,
Hashem was taking back a future Rebbe.


Written at Courtice, Ontario - 6th July 2020