When Music Ceases

And just as summer’s going strong

With sun, and fun, and play

The sky begins to darken

With clouds of murky gray

When strains of music cease their tune

And swimmers cease their stroke

A host of interruptions spurred

By memories of smoke

It’s the most carefree time of year

And yet, we can’t forget

The home from which we were exiled

In flames of strong regret

Our faces streaked with years of tears,

Our garments rent and torn

Two thousand years have passed and yet

We still remain to mourn

It’s the promise in the clouds

When all our joy is stilled

That just as we are here to mourn

We’ll be here to rebuild