Earth Etude for Elul 24 - Water Down the Wall

by Carol Reiman

from www.thinkcds.org/category/policy/

Borne

on the water 

that etches

the rock

(of tablets

and of temples),

the breath of life

glistens

as it falls

down

and down 

and

down

the wall,

pooling below, in blue green deep,

a balm for bathers, to wash away 

the ash of grief and tired day;

turning on,

the waters pass slowly here, 

clotted

by the blood of battle,

iron arms lapped  

in reeds--

land of dust and stone

sealed off to some--

left in pieces,

separated parts.

Eicha!

From the voices 

of those gathered,

tuned to the shofar, 

condensing

breath

of all with open ear and heart,

a mist of spray

forms,

rippling out,

spiraling, 

to rise,

amidst the mix,

until

the 

water

once again

glistens

with its light;

borne upon

its journey,

making

its way

down

the

wall.

Afloat at her Boston harbor campus, Carol Reiman is shored up by friends in various faith communities and grounded by her cat.