Thinking of You, Captive

 

You went with me to a simkhat bat today,
blue metal band incised with your name, date of birth
and date of horror encircling my left wrist.
I press it tightly to hold you closer.

 

For more than a year now,
you’ve been with me everywhere,
in the grocery store and the garden,
washing clothes, listening to music,
walking the dog in cool morning light,
lighting candles and counting the days.

 

When I recite the bedtime Shema,
my fingertip caresses your name,
praying that the dream of your release will come true,
maybe tonight.

 

Meanwhile, I think of you, waiting,
the joy of bringing baby Zahava into our people,
the grief of knowing how far you are from such golden moments,
stolen from your family and your life,
held there in captivity,
held here in my heart.