The synagogue was a horse stable
of the army, now the white is white
and gold again, a romantic house
of prayer in Catholic colours
Money and keys go in
separately from us
The control gates bleep, but
everyone is allowed to go through
though the men have to go aside
past the guest table
to take a kippah
The women are free
reverent by nature
even with wild red hair
and shining pins -
a symphony of life
on the edge of the holy
behind the black curtain
Poem 1988 Amsterdam, 2018-12-13 Concert in the synagogue at the Rykestraße in Berlin on September 5th, 2010 (performance of the completed 10th symphony of Gustav Mahler) Collection:New Ago Keyword:Religion: holiness