L'chaim

Dedicated to the great Jewish American writer Elie Wiesel. Who continued to dream even after surviving through nightmare. This simple word defines his hope in humanity and love for us all.

L'chaim 

By 

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

L'chaim 

A simple word; its meaning sublime.

L'chaim 

A celebration of humanity, love, and time 

To speak its vow is proclamation for us to hope

The value of moments so precious which it connotes.

It is a cry from ghostly ashes that can never be forgot

The memories of a people who inspire its thought.

L'chaim 

I will remember your rhyme.

In tears I cry; for what you signify.

L'chaim

Author's Note

When I was a small child I read an autobiographical piece of literature that had such a profound and powerful impact on my life, and journey as a storyteller. I wept for the first time ever reading words from a page of art. They were meant for my heart and for the hearts of others who accepted their hallowed message. To never forget. And to always...celebrate life. Thank you, Mr. Wiesel, I will never forget you.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there have been so many who have written of hope...the hope that we will all live together in peace and love...there has always been good...but can it override the hate and violence that occurs so much now?
People fought wars to secure freedom...now they would look at what we have become and cry.
Love this piece, Carlos...
this writing reminds me of the Beat poets...and what they tried to accomplish with their words.
that Elusive change to end war, to end hate, to find inner peace which might birth outer peace...
the value of moments, the value of loving in those moments.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Jacob, for your kind review, and as an admirer of your artistry I am deeply touched by your words. The value of art has often been debated through the years. What constitutes good versus great lies in the heart of those who consume its content. Whether it moves them emotionally, or calls them into action to be better people. The writer hopes to stir his audience to contemplate these greater ideas. When the final word is written in a work that we inevitably send out into the world, like children that they are to us, we hope they reflect our better nature. Because they are pieces of us which we yearn to make this world a better place for those whose heart they are accepted by. I see this every day in the art you release to us, as well as other of my peers here in this community. For me the importance of word is paramount because of its educational value. I want people to read and grow both in mind and spirit. Our writing heroes that came before us asked no less of us as well with their art. As a child who suffered from abuse myself though not as vile as my hero, Elie Wiesel gave me hope that things would get better in time, with his words in Night. He did, and he was right. This little word has come to embody the man who survived hell, and walked away instilling hope into the hearts of his audience, the world. Because of him I will never forget. And I will always have hope. Thank you again my friend for the kind words you have given me, they mean a lot.

[Robert Trakofler]

L'chaim to you Carlos! I have an artist friend that is living in Isreal right now she is stuck as a jew feeling so much sympathy for her Palestinian brothers and sisters right now. I have seen two murals she has painted both involving unity and i know right now she is weeping for all that has transpired recently

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

L'chaim, Robert and thank you for for sharing your words. Your friend is not alone in her tears we weep along with her. I remember during the border crisis and the separation of children from their parents and placed in cages. I could not believe how that we as a nation had not learned from our past. That the country I love could be so morally bankrupt and indifferent toward children of color, as to treat them inhumane and without dignity. Then I remembered a qoute from Mr. Wiesel which went: "Not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity we betray our own." These emotionally prophetic words resonate even now and comes from the heart of a holocaust survivor. It is my hope that we can learn to be better human beings, not just because we demand this of ourselves, but it is a holy tenet which defines our covenant as a nation. Thank you again for your kind words and thoughts.

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful and wonderful poem shared Carlos. You honored Mr. Wiesel and his memory. I have read his books. He was wise. We celebrate every new day. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly, CP, for your words. He was indeed one of the most philosophically wise and caring human beings and writers to ever put words to paper. Even today his qoutes on empathy and compassion are prescient and prophetic and speak to future generations to be more accepting and caring toward each other. His ideas resonate in the heart of new and old writers alike inspired by his words. Thank you so much for your kind review, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Carlos and you are welcome my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

When so many have been lost to the evils of war, you can't forget, however it does focus the mind on life. For those who died we should celebrate life. They sadly didn:t have a choice. We do. This little poem moves me Carlos. Yes, it moves me a great deal.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Chris, for your kind words and thoughts of this poem. I agree with every word you say. And I am touched that this work has found a place in your heart. As a child I went through an abusive home, and it was through the work of Elie Wiesel that I found hope. I can't express enough how much I love writing. It has given me a voice, my values, instilled purpose to be better. And above all has given me friendships and community. To be among peers whose work and hearts I admire and am fascinated by. And I am in awe of the young budding writers whose growing talents in poetry and storytelling move me as well here. There experiences will be richer because they have access to the works of you, Jacob, Matt, and a vastness of other established writers here in this community. Thank you for your review and most importantly your friendship.

[Chris Shaw]

And thank you too Carlos for sharing your poetry, your writing and experiences of life in this community. We are all the richer for it.

[John the Baptist]

I have seen a picture of Elie Wiesel taken on the day Buchenwald was liberated. Who could have told from that frightened boy's face that he would rise to become a literary giant? His story is proof that from the ashes good can emerge.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your words, and i wholeheartedly agree with your statement. I was about 13 years old when I read "Night" by Wiesel. I remember vividly imagining myself that child in the book, and experiencing those horrors described. It haunted me. To still have hope and love for mankind speaks volumes to the character and compassion he had as a human being. It is an optimistic empathy that is infectious, and that I as a storyteller seek to convey as tribute to him.

[mattavelli]

Cheers, lets have some beers!
Gan bei, lets drink all day!
Salud, let's drink up, dude!
Prost, that rhymes with toast!
Skål, we're on a roll!
Nah zdrowie, keep drinking all day!
And the Irish just fall down.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I f I was a drinking man I would salute your words with a toast hahaha. So instead I shall tip my head in agreement, my friend. Thank you.