Bedlam
by Viola Weinberg
You saw me there
in the old city
not far from the wall
where old men
in little hats
and fringed shawls
tipped back and forth
laying tefellin
as they prayed for peace
The women come now
The brazen women
who stand at the wall
often with notes
to the dying and dead
Heads covered
Trying to be small
Hoping to be
Furiously
You called to me, “Help!”
You said, “They’re taking me
from the medina to
the asylum;
They think
I’m sick or crazy
or crazy sick”
Your cloak was a sail
as you were transported
through Jerusalem’s gates
The guards were gentle as monks
they knew you
and loved you as a colorful uncle
Wasn’t the first time they had to
quiet the marketplace
Off to Bedlam,
the place disordered
You’ve been there
Carved out of pink sandstone
Bedlam sprung from Jerusalem
Chaos reigns and the stone crumbles
If you are asked to join the pathos
Your only chance is to face a wall and wail
Note: Bedlam originated as a Middle Age European nickname for Jerusalem.
Later, a mental hospital was built in Jerusalem, and called Bedlam.