The Sun and I

Rukhl Fishman

1958

We wore each other out today
the sun and I
working in the vineyard.
The sun dropped behind the mountain
exhausted, red,
and burning hot
I was left alone.
We were both
a little overheated
today,
the sun
and I.

Translated by
Seymour
Levitan
.
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Creator Bio

Rukhl Fishman

1935–1984

Rukhl Fishman was born in Philadelphia to a family of ardent Yiddishist activists and intellectuals. Educated in Workmen’s Circle schools and camps, Fishman displayed literary talent at an early age and was mentored by the Yiddish poet Malka Heifetz Tussman. Involved with Ha-Shomer ha-Tsa‘ir, Fishman eventually settled in Israel, where she worked in agriculture on Kibbutz Bet Alpha. Fishman established herself as the youngest and only American-born member of the Yung Yisroel group and formed a close connection with Avrom Sutzkever. Her poetry is known for the delicate simplicity of its imagery and use of powerful language to describe everyday occurrences and the natural world.

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