He foraged in the trash

with other children, 

now his family

for scraps to eat

plastic and metal to recycle, 

flip flops for his feet,

stench stuck to him,

flies settled on him,

at night drunk men attacked, 

by day bullies beat  

and ridiculed him,  

 

One day His Majesty approached

with his royal retinue,

beckoned,

calmed him,

brought him to the most private quarters 

in the palace,

bathed him, 

gave him clean clothes,

warm food,

a safe place,

fatherly hugs and kisses

 

He introduced him to the royal family

and household,

put him to sleep at night

with song and prayer,

comforted him

after terrors, flashbacks 

friends left behind,

brought doctors to heal him,

tutors to teach him,

 

When he ponders the kindness

of the great and exalted ruler

who brought him from the edge of despair

to the innermost chamber of the palace,

He wants to cry and dance with joy, 

singing praises,

How deep the love,

pouring like water

from his heart

 

*see Tanya Chap 46

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Pinchos Kurinsky is a retired clinical social worker. For well over thirty years, he ran programs targetting the Jewish poor, elderly and homeless in New York. He and his wife Chana moved to Ponte Vedra Beach about ten years ago to be near their children and grandchildren. Their son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Nochum and Leah Kurinsky, direct Chabad at the Beaches. Since he retired, Pinchos has been writing poetry and has published two collections. He also volunteers to visit Jewish inmates in state prisons. Currently, he is enrolled in a rabbinical ordination program. 

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