Upon Emerging: A Poem for Transitioning Out of Quarantine

When a butterfly pushes out toward sun,
unfolding wet wings, shaking off the last silky strands
of home –
Just before it launches into flight,
does it turn back
and bless the cocoon
that held it?
Mah nora hamakom hazeh,
how awesome
is this place.
 
Source, bless this (ephemeral) space
where we’ve grown,
and sung,
each voice, alone –
where we’ve listened for,
or imagined
each other’s rhythms,
tried to sync them with our own.
 
Bless the flickering light
that carried smiles
over miles to each of us,
cocooned inside our homes.
 
Bless the air
in which we now, unfolding,
blink at the sun,
limbs wobbling,
slowly remembering,
re-assembling.
 
Bless the stones on which we step
across this creek,
treading back to where
the ground is pounded
smooth, grooved into circles
from season after season
of our gathering.
 
Mah nora hamakom hazeh,
how awesome is this place.
Barukh haMakom, Barukh Hu,
blessed is the Place
that holds us.
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Ritualwell content is available for free thanks to the generous support of readers like you! Please help us continue to offer meaningful content with a donation today. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Rituals

Shop Ritualwell - Discover unique Judaica products

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah

In this study of the Zohar, Rabbi Margie Jacobs will guide you in exploring the Shekhinah, the feminine, immanent, indwelling Sacred Presence, through the use of art materials and reflective writing. Four sessions starting May 7, 2024. 

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.

The Reconstructionist Network