Let’s Rest Before it Even Starts – A Poem for Haftarah Breishit

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Sela

Eight hundred years before
the common era and we
pick up this beginning in the
middle of a conversation.

Isaiah, talking the talk of
the Prize Fighter. Reminding us
who’s had our backs
(and our fronts) this whole time,
since the first blade of grass
touched the first human foot.

Sela

Let’s sing a new song.
Let’s remember when the Earth
still had that new planet smell,
long before enemies were
vanquished on our behalf
by the One who exchanged
ribs like Legos.

Sela

Babylonia may be lovely this
time of year, but for some reason
this vacation makes us fill the river
with our tears.

It’s a long way home and
the turnpike is on fire.
It’s okay – We’ve got the
double capitalized triple A.
Roadside Service Deluxe.
Available twenty four hours day.

Sela

It’s almost three thousand years later
All I can see is gold.