The news of American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s capture by Hamas was deeply distressing. Afterwards, Hersh’s parents endured a grueling, relentless fight to secure his release, relying on diplomatic negotiation and tremendous hope.

Their fight came to a forced close when the Israeli Defense Force released the news that Hersh, along with five other hostages, were found murdered by Hamas. This crushing news led to widespread mourning and grief for all those who yearned to bring them home.

This poem’s title, “Heavy Flight,” signifies the heaviness we feel from the news of Hersh’s passing— as his flight from life was forced.

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Heavy Flight

I don’t know them

But my tears ring true, hearing

“You’re finally finally finally free…”

A statement no mother, no person

Should have to make…

From torture 

Grief

Uncertainty 

Darkness…

To release,

Though not in mother’s arms

To freedom,

Though not in this world

To adventures,

Though not alongside friends.

I don’t understand yet,

But this weight inside me is true;

“Now I need you to help us to stay strong”

A statement

We all– try to recreate.

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Ilana Zlotchenko is currently a Senior at the University of Maryland, College Park studying Neurobiology and Physiology. She enjoys writing poetry in her spare time and has been publishing her poetry since 2022 on her account [i_iz_writing] on Instagram. While she began writing romantic pieces, Ilana now explores writing pieces using her perspective of being a Jewish student in university.