It was a summer Shabbat – joyous, boisterous Friday night oneg
that makes its own music
lasting hours past midnight – and I remembered
I was due back at the Rebbetzin’s house. Couldn’t call, so I ran the mile.
Skirt swirling about my calves, the clack-clack of my ballet flats
against the pavement. Sweat trapped in my pantyhose
and ruined my blouse, so I unbuttoned it
and ran in my bra (no one was out at that hour)
the two halves of my top flapping like wings.
It felt amazing. Maybe I don’t hate running, I thought.
Maybe I just hate running clothes. The Rebbetzin welcomed me,
disheveled and exhilarated, back in the house. It came with the territory,
hosting guests with terrible manners. Some people are the trees,
and some people are the birds who fly back, empty the fridge,
trash the nest when they feel like it. The Rebbetzin would die young –
Ovarian cancer. Her family moved back to Brooklyn. By the time I learned,
It was Friday night and there was nowhere to run to.
© 2020 Jewish Young Professional
***
Retroactively for dVerse
Jewish Young Professional 
I love this so much. It makes me think of the trees in the Garden of the Righteous and yad vashem. Next to my street is some sort of reforestation project called Demonstration Forest. I wish there had been real people here who would have given my kids and I a permanent place to land. At least we can know that we can be this for someone- shelter, hospitality, advocacy, respite. People who don’t freak out when your autistic child innocently starts stripping cause their drink spilled on them, lol. People who are chill and know how to provide shade.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Yes – we have a lot of imagery in Psalms around the righteous people being like trees. I am sorry you didn’t have people to be your trees. They can be hard to find.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was enjoying this so much – and then – the end was so totally unexpected 😭
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a bit abrupt. I tend to do that in poems. It does cause some whiplash. I’m sorry. Actually, I just read your recent post the newlywed groom who lost his father so suddenly – so sad when life happens that way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
true true
LikeLike
So sad. And so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ditto…
LikeLiked by 2 people
“Some people are the trees,
and some people are the birds who fly back” – love this metaphor….and the ending is so sad and so perfect. The defeat is so loud.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you. I guess we both wrote poems with bird imagery recently!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very moving.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Loved your poem!
LikeLike
So beautifully written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Wrote it a while ago and I still really like this one
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully expressed. May the Rebbetzin rest in peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this; how could you ignore a poem with such a great title? I had to look up a few words but that’s okay; the authentic words must always be used; I’m copying this into my commonplace book: it’s a gem
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! I love the title too!
I’ve been cutting back on my explanations of Judaic references in poetry (because I used to overexplain until my poems became essays! Those poems were so dreadful!) and I’m happy to hear that it was still accessible.
I’m touched to make your commonplace book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always happier if I learn a few new words a day in the context of my reading; it’s so easy to look up words these days 🙂 I may never use those words but hey! they’ve enriched my vocabulary
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is amazing and so touching! It’s good to connect with you and thank you for following my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, she was a special person.
LikeLike
[…] This is not a self-portrait. Although I wrote this poem based on a true story, I do not really enjoy running. I still do not enjoy running even while wearing fancy Shabbat […]
LikeLike
[…] any of these things. Most other forms of exercise I hate. Sports, running…especially running. This poem is based on a true story, but really, I hate running, regardless of […]
LikeLike
The clothes make all the difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They really do. I hate running and I can’t quite describe how exhilarating it felt running in those dress clothes and shoes. I wouldn’t make it a regular habit though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] I posted last year about wanting to quit keeping Shabbat after keeping it for 10 years. My struggle with Shabbat falls into the Practical category. I had no issues with Shabbat from a Philosophical or Societal perspective. I believe in Shabbat as paying tribute to G-d creating the world in six days, something I could believe in and actually, I do not find it difficult to reconcile this belief with scientific evidence of evolution. And I found Shabbat to have a largely positive benefit from a societal perspective. I had many positive experiences celebrating Shabbat with the community. […]
LikeLike
[…] was a perfect fit. I found congregations with lively melodic egalitarian services. Plenty of Shabbat hospitality invites. I felt inspired to become Shabbat observant, which brought a lot of joy to my life for a long […]
LikeLike