A Tale of Two Sticks – A Poem for Haftarah Vayigash

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I’ll never look at two sticks the same
(come to think of it, I never spent a lot of time
looking at sticks so I’m not sure

how significant a statement that is)
after God told Ezekiel to pick up two of them
and then assigned them meanings.

One for the north and
one for the south. A divided kingdom
fused together into one

by an act of holy arts and crafts.
Makes me think of other divisions –
Other lefts and rights which

are still housed within lands
united by one name. Liberals and
conservatives. East coast

and west. Presidents and
those who just use the word “president.”
We need a divine influence to

graft us together, plant us in the ground
maybe add a little water so just
one tree grows.

We all get to be a leaf
nourished from the same place.
Let us be an evergreen

Let us breathe.

These poems are offered free for your enjoyment. If you use them as part of an event, meeting, educational or liturgical setting, please consider tipping the author.

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