As the day draws closer
my thoughts muddle, would
the Day of Pardon consider
my choice of offering, inner
reflection, for the slaughter
and the dashing blood?

Since birth the tassels
of the talit swing between
the poles of the Ha-Aaron,
leading the way into the
forest of symbols, basking
in its sheltering revelations.

As I light the yiskor candles
I hear piyyutim from the bowl
of the earth, think of the angels;
no enmity among  them.

The verse from Sefer Tehillim,
“a man [is] slightly less than
the angels” surely has been
lost in translation as I’m lured
by the Three Trees tempted
to taste   Birth   Life   Death.

Enfolded in awe, I pace
the synagogue’s steps ready
to invoke the shofar’s tekiot
as it weave loops of ashamnu
brought forth by hearty viduyyim
belted in sanctified writings.

O' God, hear my pardon,
Amen Ve Amen - Strike!

--

Michal Mahgerefteh is an award-winning poet and artist. She is the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Poetica Magazine, Reflections of Jewish Thought, www.poeticamagazine.com Her debut poetry collection, In My Bustan is now available through her web site, www.michalmahgerefteh.com.

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AND THE TWO WALKED ON TOGETHER...
Dedicated to the memories of Ilan & Assaf Ramon
by Esther Lixenberg-Bloch 

There was a space of time between the two
who went so knowingly together.
The space that clamoured for their presence, knew
how intertwined their fates would be forever.
The task commanded, tested faith: Be true,
and all adversity you'll weather.

A distant view. His eyes saw far ahead
and up to heights unknown before to man.
“Your only son...” the voice had said.
He did not query what or why the plan,
but steadfast in belief, his tread
led on to where our history began.

The two walked silently, in par
with dawn-touched creatures, stirring only now from sleep:
Each scuttling lizard's footprint, an earth’s star;
each snake coiling in waves, made paths to leap;
the honing eagle, watching from afar,
restrained her talons, stilled her descent steep.

Along the way, a roaring river set its traps
in white-frothed fists that punched and pummeled rocks;
and though His black-winged servant urged collapse,
and tried to shred his faith with blows and knocks,
the path led on and up; perhaps
to qualify our lives with paradox:

Father and son - now sacrificed together.
Time encapsulated, nulling rift of years.
Command internalized – their mutual tether,
like father and son before. They knew no fears.
Embracing in His presence, no cords can sever
their bond, enclosed in a sea of endless tears.

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To submit your poem of  Jewish and/or Israeli content email bbresky@israelnationalradio.com with the subject line: Poetry Submission 

bs’d 

On Forgiveness – Erev Rosh Hashanah
by Sarah Feld 
   
After struggling to be conceived,
the spirit of forgiveness
is passionately born
in the appointed season
 
In Elul
it becomes a relentless force
if we treasure
our soul’s redemption
 
HaShem, in this world
of optical delusions
help us
to let go
 
of our ego, pride
and self- righteous anger
Please HaShem,
guide us to accept others
 
Let Your Loving Light
permeate our consciousness
inspiring us
to love – and forgive
 
And please, G-d protect us
in Your judgment
in the coming
awe-inspiring, Holy days 

 

To submit your poem of  Jewish and/or Israeli content email bbresky@israelnationalradio.com with the subject line: Poetry Submission 

There is a solitary beauty in solo flight

Flying free with no one there just you alone

A t first sight alone might feel right yet it's like flying with a part of the sky being out of sight

A wingman brings life to that death's night

Father, for too long you have flown alone

Always with a dark spot where the light that should have shone

Turn now and see that light shining bright both day or night

Your son is here and his wing is now and forever tight

Both now forever flying safe always in total light

Silver wings now angels gold as father and son fly forever together never again to be alone

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To submit your poem of  Jewish and/or Israeli content email bbresky@israelnationalradio.com with the subject line: Poetry Submission

Elegy for a Posthumous Captain (for Assaf Ramon)
by Brandon Marlon

How bitterly Israel’s heroes are felled and fallen!
Like sovereign Saul and loyal Jonathan
Projected in the air above Bet She’an
Dynastic champions are again claimed by greedy skies

How bereft is the Hebrew tribe of its defenders!
When its finest are tragically short-lived
Like the sages of old in Latin times
Spared the horrors still to come

How dark is this hour among Jacob’s tents!
We are all tempted to out-weep our mother Rachel
Yet somehow the anguish is utterly too much
Piercing the heart like an F-16 through the sound barrier

How much ash must be doused upon Israel’s head?
How deep should the gash in the garment be?
Woe to the nation losing father and son…
…from the heights of Gilboa to the hills of Hebron!

To submit your poem of  Jewish and/or Israeli content email bbresky@israelnationalradio.com