Bob Schwartz

Ghosts of Gaza

They arrived.
The ghosts of Gaza stood back
Behind the last pews
From the first words of Yom Kippur
To the last.
Kol nidrei
All vows
Adonai, hu ha’elohim
Adonai is God.
They mouthed the words
In awe of the same God
God of compassion
Rachamim
Eataf.
The great blast sounded
From the horn of the ram
Of the desert they shared.
The sun set
The congregants ate
The ghosts left.

© 2024 by Bob Schwartz

Yom Kippur Hangover

A day of fasting
A feast of soul-twisting
Confession and contemplation.
Of course the morning after is dislocating.
Would we rather peacefully abstain
Or stay shaken and stirred?
Why is this day after different?

© 2024 by Bob Schwartz