They’re Circumcising Hearts Now. – Nitzavim-Vayeilech (Aliyah 2)

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And the Lord, your God, will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring

My first thought, and you’ll forgive me everyone
who cringes when even a holy scalpel approaches
is finally! Egalitarian circumcision for everyone!

Even the ladies get to participate in the brit!
All you need is a heart and the covenant is yours.
The pink ceiling is broken.

So, do you have a heart and how big is it?
Even if a piece is taken, is there room in it
for memories and promises?

What Voice informs who can occupy
the space between your ventricles?
Do you hear the sounds of need and pain?

We are footsteps away from a land
promised to our foreparents.
After you dip your feet in the river

and arrive, no return to that soil
how will you shape this clean slate?
When a part of your heart is taken

it is not disconnected from you, but
just taking up space inside someone else.
Our covenant is with the Holy One

and the Holy One is every soul you meet
every fist you bump, every set of eyes
you’re lucky enough to see with your own.

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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