Brawerman, an old learning place,
For the Jewish alone.
I packed for school, Harvard-Westlake,
off into the unknown.
Oblivious and unaware,
of hate in this new school.
Until one day the hate too much,
fire made from the fuel.
A Swastika was discovered,
yet not a whisper heard.
The situation quieted,
buried, not a said word.
Yet one day everything did change,
October 7th morn.
Propaganda, evilly spread,
The truth bitter and scorned.
True beliefs camouflaged,
A pang of guilt I bear,
For now Jewish necklace unclipped,
it will not reappear.
Learning a lesson of man’s hate,
The necklace not worn once more.
Fearing if I were to wear it,
There’d be haters galore.
Silent, a thing I hate to be,
My voice reduced to naught.
For if I get a chance to speak,
I’ll prove I’m worth a lot.