Rising to the Occasion — A poem for Parsha Sh’lach (Aliyah 3)

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and you will not fear the people of that land
for they are [as] our bread.

Let’s talk about bread.
Bread keeps you alive.

Four ingredients plus time –
Time is the secret ingredient.

The more patient you are
the more flavor you will earn.

It is simple. It is the best of
what wheat gives us. It is

gluten-free if you need or prefer.
It is a food group all by itself.

It is the least you will be given
plus water, if you find yourself

in that situation. So basic.
It is how we are told to regard

the inhabitants of the land of
milk and honey. Consumables.

I appreciate the encouragement but
when I see people on the other side

of any line, my mind does not
turn them into sandwiches.

I see arms and legs and hearts.
I see people with diets I’d like to

learn more about. I see shared
experiences that will keep us both alive.

Let us make bread together
instead of regarding the other

as consumable. This is another test
like the boy on the rock.

We should always assume there’s
a better choice hidden nearby.

Be patient, like waiting for the yeast
to do its work – you’ll find it.

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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