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One Drop at a Time
by Arik Einstein
(Translated by Shai Gluskin)

I didn't want to teach
I didn't try to preach
I didn't look to give orders
And I also didn't want to be privileged.

I didn't want to hit
I didn't try to attack
I didn't look to desgrace
And I also didn't want to kiss ass.

All I want to do is add a drop,
for a drop, another drop, another drop, another drop
become a sea.

I didn't want to discover
I didn't try to unite
I didn't look to shame
And I also didn't try to organize.

I didn't want to renew
I didn't try to destroy
I didn't look to make holy
And also to be the boss.

All I want to do is add a drop,
for a drop, another drop, another drop, another drop
become a sea.

I didn't say to offer a sacrifice
I didn't shout, "after me" (1)
I didn't look to respond
And I also didn't have a fit.

All I want to do is add a drop,
for a drop, another drop, another drop, another drop
become a sea.

(1) One of the oft repeated stories emanating from the Israel Defense Forces is that officers go first into battle, saying"after me."

"All I want to do is add a drop, for a drop, another drop, another drop, another dropbecome a sea." What do you think this refrain means? Is he maintaining, in a minimalist way a sense of wanting to contribute to society? Is it going too far to say that this poem is anti-ideological?

Please e-mail me your thoughts at shai@gluskin.org. Thanks,

Rabbi Shai