Topic Tags: tisha b'av

A poem for Tisha b’Av.

“All that remains to me / of my family’s life in Ukraine… / are four silver kiddush cups…”

“her presence undimmed but hidden as the new moon”

“As this day begins its dark descent / our tongues go dry again”

“You weep with us in the darkest night / But raise us in joy in morning’s light.”

“May the new orchard bloom, and the First Fruits be blessed”

“May we honor the earth that has received the remnants of that which has been destroyed”

When do we lament? / I looked through all my poetry / To find one to share / As a new retelling of / Our communal lament

I am here, standing in the desert. / I wear heavy clothing that will protect me from bullets, / but not from my hurting heart.

“I cried out for my friends (1:19), / ‘See the distress I am in!’ (1:20). / There was no one to comfort me” (1:21). / “My heart is sick” (1:22)