Faisal Mohyuddin reads “The Faces of the Holy”

The transcript is a reflection on a poem dedicated to Helen Deegan Cohen, a Holocaust survivor and mentor. It explores themes of holiness, heartache, and history, portraying the holy as ashes and smoke. The poem delves into the human heart's capacity to bear history's heartache and the library of loss. It highlights the transformation of destruction into beauty and remembrance, guided by the voices of the dead. Poets play a crucial role in communing with history and healing the unhealable anguish of others.

Who is the poem 'Faces of the Holy' dedicated to?

• A historical figure

• Helen Deegan Cohen

• A family member

• A famous author

What does the poem suggest about the human heart?

• It is always joyful

• It is indifferent to history

• It can house immeasurable heartache

• It is fragile and easily broken

According to the poem, what does every life carry?

• A collection of dreams

• A map of success

• A library of loss

• A book of happiness

What role do poets play according to the poem?

• They focus solely on the future

• They ignore the past

• They transform destruction into beauty

• They write only about joy

How does the poem describe holiness?

• As a state of constant happiness

• As a struggle and brave face of fiction

• As a simple and easy path

• As a journey without challenges