On My Toes

 

Art by Mike Cockrill

1

In shul Shabbat morning,

After we consider God-ness

Creating light, dark, love, unity and truth,

I stand for the standing prayer,

Legs together 

Like an angel with only one lower limb. 

I sway from side to side,

Seeking a chat with the Sacred Artist.  

2

I stand so I can shuckel,

Rhythmic comfort movements

Side to side

Up and down

Knees bent. 

Voice chanting 

As my body prays

Like an angel dancing in a mosh pit

Hopping with God and the congregation,

Acolytes to the beat of Tefillah 

(And it feels so good). 

3

Then I drop the angel thing

And stand with legs akimbo 

In perfect balance

To safely launch myself into the air three times:

Ecstasy! Sanctity!  Blessing!

God exists forever in this moment. 

Here I am

In holy conversation

And this is an excellent party.  

4

I stand for the need for meaning

When there are no answers. 

I stand for the divine Wholeness

In and around me. 

I stand for the glory of Oneness

From generation to generation.  

I stand for the thousands of years

We have prayed this prayer. 

5

Well, I don’t actually stand,

Not anymore. 

My knees hurt,

My back aches

And walking is easier than standing still. 

Worried about what others might think,

I used to lift up my carcass anyway, 

But all I could pray about was my pain

Which wasn’t enough. 

So now I stay in my chair,

Put the book aside,o

Scootch up to the front of the seat,

Sit up straight 

And pay attention hard. 

6

B’emet,

Sitting there

Slightly impaired,

I’m more aware 

Of my body 

As a vehicle for prayer 

Than ever before.  

On my toes 

In my heart,

I declare,

Holy holy holy!

7

And let us say

Amen. 

Please be seated.

How? A Prayer For Activists for the New Year

Art by Mike Cockrill

This new year is going to be

Difficult to witness and

End-of-the-world frightening,

With cruel enemies

Lacking nuance and compassion. 

How can this be?  

Amidst the brutality and the pain,

Amidst the illness and the injuries,

Amidst the boredom and the lack of sleep,

Amidst the outrage and the frustration,

You sometimes will want to be happy.  

How does that work ?  

But won’t feeling good  be obscene?  

Simple pleasures, selfish?

Should we eat well if others starve?

No more being silly! 

Can we still fall in love?

How did this happen?

Forgive the old for leaving you this mess. 

Know that they were left

Their own mess by their elders. 

Which they tried to repair in their time. 

Sorry, but it’s your turn.  

How will you be kind?

Bless HaMavdil, Creator of Time, 

As we gird our loins

For the battles and horrors to come. 

Help us remember to enjoy our lives

And make sure we get enough sleep,

Don’t ask me how.  

Happy New Year

Amen