Yom Kippur
by Sarah Feld (c)

a worm
in the court of the King -
how dare i stand
in Your presence?
how dare i assume
that i may stand?

a look within
reveals unfinished efforts
deficient attempts.
how can i approach You
with such inadequacy?
i wanted to do more,
be more
by now –
if not now, when???

lacking lucid perspective
i hover pathetically
in the abyss
between perception
and bewilderment –
failing to comprehend.

commendable deeds,
so few, sporadic.
i desperately
need to know
what should I do now?
and after?

In essence,
on this erev Yom Kippur
I stand before you,
devastated;
without understanding
After many years
of seeking wisdom
I don’t know what to do
but bring my lowliness
before You
and beg for mercy.

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