My Bobbe

Back then ---
An attic room,
A little lamp,
A prayerbook ---
And my bobbe,
With cheeks wrinkled.
Her lips --- blue,
My bobbe, so old ---
Back then ...

And now ---
Dear bobbe glows
Up high on the wall,
Cleaned and bedecked.
My bobbe --- so young 
How lovely adorned!
Still, under her mask,
My bobbe, beloved ---
My bobbe, as ever ...

The prayerbook --- in closet ---
Old and yellowed;
Her voice of before
I miss in the room ...
But her eyes --- as ever ---
They too beseech God;
They pray for her children
Wherever they are.