I wrote this chant-poem spontaneously on Friday, October 6 during an online ceremony to honor SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah. and the Matriarchs of Genesis. It was sparked by a chant shared by Lisa Moriah, of The Temple of Divine Radiance. The very next day I learned that IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. had been invaded. I offer this poem here as it is, raw and only lightly edited. And I offer it as an invitation for you to allow a poem to write itself spontaneously through you.
“Sarah lived in elonei mamre, a grove of sacred terebinths at Mamre …” Savina J. Teubal
In this grove of leaves and reeds.
In this grove, a shelter of green.
In this grove, a well of light.
In this grove that sighs and breathes.
In this grove that dissolves like a dream.
In this grove that awakens in me
forgotten tears of grief.
In this grove, I feel my skin grow soft.
In this grove, as my hips flow full
in the dance of my long-gone Mothers.
In this grove
where the promise is joy.
In this grove, we are the daughters still
and we are the heirs
who carry the dream
the gifts and the prayers
of our Mothers.
