Decades ago
on a dazzling day
drenched in autumn light
I slipped into jeans
tied the laces of my walking shoes
and skipped out on Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends.
I was giddy in the woods
among the trees and tall grasses
until a hiss stopped me
mid-step
This was no garden snake
But a full-grown copperhead
It’s diamond-skin of black, brown and tan skin
Blocking my path
A snake
tempted AdamAdam is the first human being created by God. Symbolizes: Creation, humankind. and EveEve, according to the book of Genesis, is Adam's wife, the first woman to be created.
in the Garden of Eden
Â
A coven of venomous snakes
called out the Israelites’ thanklessness
as they trekked
through the desert
to freedom
A snake made of brass
allowed those who looked upon it
to repent and heal
This snake
paused just long enough
for me to look upon it
to consider what I had done
A fiery serpent
reproaching me
for slithering away
from atoning for my transgressions?
I’ll never know
But I have not missed a neilah since.
