What do I need, I asked?
I need water the way Pharoah…
the one who survived?
needed to be cleansed
by the mikvehThe ritual bath. The waters of the mikveh symbolically purify – they are seen as waters of rebirth. A convert immerses in the mikveh as part of conversion. Many Orthodox married women go to the mikveh following their period and before resuming sexual relations. Couples go to the mikveh before being married. Many, including some men, immerse before Yom Kippur; some go every Friday before Shabbat. of the flood—
the water of freedom
for all Jews.
I am thirsty for wholeness.
I am thirsty to return to the peace
of our peoplehood
and I want to see evil
turn back on itself till it offers
teshuvah not only to one
bedraggled tyrant of the ancient world
but to all who would oppress us.
Until all drink the water
of turning and returning to God.