L’Shanah Tovah

“To A Sweet New Year!”
or so                                they say
i struggle to find meaning
the mean truth: He’s gone.

Drowning in matzo ball soup
tears add 
salt to the bowl, the wounds

i am reminded of the                    empty
chair beside-me;
phantom limb—
unwanted guest while                   elijah
looms (behind locked doors)

apple wedges, like smiles
frowns
Passed 	       around
                   and
     around 
the table—
vertigo. 

sweet sweet honey
                                       devash
                                       dr	
                                          ips 
                                     dr
                                       ops

                                 into the dish
filling thick fluid
but not the void.

                                     “Shalom!”
hello, peace or Goodbye?

i count raisins in my                   challah
like raisins in the sun
the way i saw Him last.

last year
i wasn’t                     there
i was here
i should have been           there!
          i should have been there

                          boray pri ha’gafen
shut up and drink my whine
like a good jew
we toast “to life, to life         l’chayim!”




…now how do i toast Death?

© Jennifer Greenberg