The Minor Chords

The Minor Chords” is a poem by Jill Blum. The graphic design was done by the poet herself.

Photography by Isabelle Young @isabellespaintedsky

in the evening 

my son’s sweet voice echoed 

in the background 

as it does on nights 

when his father gets to snuggle him to sleep

tonight it stopped me dead 

as i heard the minor chords 

of the kaddish over the candles 

his kindergarten voice recalling 

the joy of Chanukah just past 

i leapt to hear the voices of my ancestors 

felt my grandmother’s hand on my keppe 

saw my grandfather’s eyes welling with pride 

as his lineage continues; despite his necessary

assimilation for survival 
I rushed to his bedside 

where he showed me 

the well-loved stuffie he was singing for 

and i teared up knowing he is the 

only heir to the legacy of so many who hoped 

our family would one day return to the old city

in Jerusalem 

and know the peace that is home