Shemot: Names of Lament

From Yocheved’s womb
Unto cradled safety 
Buoyed by river named
“Mother of All Men”
Under watchful eye
Of Bitter Waters, nearby.
 
Pharaoh’s daughter
Having cleansed herself,
Responded to an infant’s tears,
And drew him from the water.
 
A life saved by civil disobedience, 
Passed hand by hand,
Arm into arm,
Along a steady stream of women,
Imprinted by rakhamim,
 
After generations of burning,
Would be the one to turn his head,
Disarm himself of his very shoes,
And say “Here I am”
 
To the One who, 
On January 6, 2021,
Is, sadly, 
Still Becoming.

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