Barbara Schilling Hurwitz – ‘Fashion Statement’

Donning my IDF uniform of

coarse green cloth

I become one of them

a shapeless fighter

one of many, my individuality 

no longer identifiable

Donning my IDF uniform I

care not about my curvaceous shape 

my hair or decorative jewels

I care solely for the confident message 

my stretched posture suggests 

Donning my IDF uniform 

my ire is raised, my need

my will to fight burns in my belly

fanned by the scent of inconsolable

suffering smoldering in the air 

buried beneath my IDF uniform

is a once meek woman

fearful of leaving her comfort zone

Until that day, that day 

when my people were slaughtered and

antisemitism rose from the ashes 

Donning my IDF uniform

I find strength concealed by years 

years of relying on the strength of others but

now I am transformed like Diana Prince

spun into the power of Wonder Woman

Donning my IDF uniform

I care only for the message it delivers

I am defender of my people, my land

I have come to serve

I have come seeking freedom

for those from whom it was taken.

Am Yisrael Chai!