final (readings and work in attachments)

O the Chimneys

Nellie Sachs

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. JOB 19:26

O the chimneys On the ingeniously devised habitations of death When Israel's body drifted as smoke Through the air - Was welcomed by a star, a chimney sweep, a star that turned black Or was it a ray of sun?

O the chimneys! Freedom way for Jeremiah and Job's dust - Who devised you and laid stone upon stone The road for refugees of smoke?

O the habitations of death, Invitingly appointed For the host who used to be a guest - O you fingers Laying the threshold Like a knife between life and death -

O you chimneys, O you fingers And Israel's body as smoke through the air!