For my great-grandparents, Jacob and Anna
Candles sputter on the cloth Zelda stitched
by hand, blue and white thread soft, sun-faded,
rituals constant across continents.
melekh ha-olam
Despite slick skin the color of Odessa sunsets,
apples taste sooty, crumble rather than crunch,
salty on the shared plate.
borei p’ri ha’eitz
Lick sticky trails from each other’s fingers
honey sweet on salty skin, hint of something
beyond this endless city, unformed hopes for the new year.
(Amen)
Snores chant from the bedroom, Rs stretch even in their sleep,
the boys sound more American daily, collect baseball
cards and marbles, hold hands with blonde girls at school.
Y’hi ratzon mil’fanekha Adonai
With the synagogue back home smoldering, salt
tilled in the frozen fields, wonder if anyone
still listens, or if words stick in the cracked ceiling.
eloheinu vei’lohei avoteinu
Seal the new year’s prayer: the forsaken
war should end, possibilities multiply like pomegranate
seeds, scatter in hopes of warmer spring.
sh’t’chadeish aleinu shanah tovah um’tukah
Bake challah slowly, murmur the prayers said since
childhood. the ritual itself still soothes, words as smooth
as the butter sliding golden onions in the pan.
(Amen)
