A baby of no-one

Belongs a bit to everyone

Except — to his parents

Who were sent to their deaths,  

And there's no-one to care for him,

Though he belongs to everyone.

A child of no-one

Belongs a bit to everyone

Except to his mother

Who left him in their care

And made everyone swear  

That they'd watch over & raise him as their own

Though in the world he was all alone.

A youth of no-one

Belongs a bit to everyone

Except to his mother and father

Who were lost to him forever

And who commanded all

To watch over their son….

Who remained alone in the world.

And a man of no-one

Belongs a bit to himself

And a bit to everyone

And despite his children and wife

And despite his family and friends

He still carries deep within himself

His solitude in this world

Yair Palgi,                      10.8.16

* This was written following a roots trip to Varajdin, July 2016