A branch not yet fully grafted to the tree fragile, only just beginning to be connected looks back at the trunk, solid and strong drawing strength knowing it is there once a strange land, now home the branch wavers in a strong wind fearful of the coming storm the trunk stands resolute having weathered many … Continue reading Rockets Fall in Israel
April
"April," he promised again and again his words became a mantra a lifeline in dark places we clung to April as our life raft Life spun us around in riptides April became the rope tied to the shore we saw the shore grow closer the other side of the water became clearer our eyes full … Continue reading April
The Sun Returns
Slowly at first, then increasing in speed the light returns to the arctic first weakly, it crawls across the mountains thin rays barely scratching the snow the ravens unaware It sneaks up on me, quietly without fanfare it begins to creep up earlier it meets my days later it takes its leave lingering over sweet … Continue reading The Sun Returns
When You Treat Me Like You
When you ask me where to find candles just assuming I must know my heart expands, relaxing my eyes well with tears simply because you counted me among your own When you tell me "Good Shabbos" casually as you walk by just assuming I celebrate it not asking me if I can break it for … Continue reading When You Treat Me Like You
In the Darkness of a Blizzard
At the northern edge of humanity hidden in a polar embrace forbidden candles flicker and dance outside wind howls in the hallway, workers trudge day and night Inside, there is an island, tiny and fragile my lips whisper blessings my cup holds only water, not wine my table only matzah, not challah my family far … Continue reading In the Darkness of a Blizzard
Winter Hallel
In darkness, I awaken the tune of Hallel in my ears I whisper words of another tune and greet the dark day Summer's light has fled the mountains flowers bloom no more only the raven and magpie remain winter's sky companions cold rain falls snow comes late this year a reminder of retreating glaciers the … Continue reading Winter Hallel
Whispered Prayers Within Cube Walls
Morning sun awakens late half the morning gone at work I glance out the window, noting it's return I stand, book in hand hidden by cubical walls My feet point east to unseen mountains my lips begin to flutter my voice a whisper they never seem to notice or hear my prayers coded in a … Continue reading Whispered Prayers Within Cube Walls
The Long Arctic Rest
The mountains exhale into the chilly morning air long breaths of mist ancient rocky shoulders relaxing summer's rush fading into memory The geese have flown and the swans follow following the sun's steady retreat they seek warmer skies leaving us to slow into fall The summer rush ebbs, a tide receding those of us who … Continue reading The Long Arctic Rest
A Week Ago
His eyes lingered just a moment too long focused on the heads of my husband and son their kippahs casually sitting there a week ago, I wouldn't have noticed now, a chill ran down my spine He was normal we were in a store were his eyes hard, predatory? or did he even notice us? … Continue reading A Week Ago
I Woke Before the Dawn Today
The sun's long reign has all but ended the day dawns later dark, rainy, a chilly pricking at my face the clouds are low the mountains hidden The sun was arrogant stealing away the night overreaching, grasping too far now, the night spies her chance she begins to push him to retreat Creation senses the … Continue reading I Woke Before the Dawn Today
Every Day Has Its Song
Every day is given its own song In Hebrew, the Shir Shel Yom they say every word of Torah was sung As G-d sung the world into creation A neverending song Song sung without lips, words without sound a frequency beyond our hearing even a dog's ears cannot hear without song, nothing would be existence … Continue reading Every Day Has Its Song
Fasting Thoughts
Curving into myself instead of reaching out into the world My heart feels cavernous, full of a maze I follow it, feeling along the roughened walls finding things I'd long lost the world keeps trying to lure me back the emptiness of my belly guards, pushing them away I shake my head, trying to clear … Continue reading Fasting Thoughts
The Safek 