Coming up soon are the Jewish High Holidays
When it’s customary to grow thoughtful, to pray
You’re supposed to look inward as God decides
Who will live and who will die.
Seems to me this year it’s not merely Him and Us
These Days of Awe feature our persistent Virus
Who by fire, who by sword, who by pestilence
Says the text, but this season note the difference
If we wear the mask then at least in part
That may be reason to take some heart
As God ponders, Let me see, I’ll take her or him
Are we not now genuine participants?
Although it’s not clear how to measure or in what relation
We are definitely in on the deliberations
While that may not be sufficient to cheer
Makes me able still to utter, very quietly, Happy New Year
Not happy haha but elated to declare
I really am part of these human affairs.
And when ten days elapse and it comes time to atone
Thank the virus for reminding us none of us lives alone.
