Mar Cheshvan

by Tiferet Welch

I said another “goodbye”

To you, mom,

During that shift

Of time and space,

Heart and ties,

When gathered with

All of Israel.

Your death

Was not my fault.

Lo, I cannot stand

In any other way,

Than that of being

With my chosen people.

Whatever is old,

I grant permission,

To wither away.

Whatever is being born

In the darkened seed

Of Mer Cheshvan

Is welcomed.

The month of Joseph whispering,

His son, Manasseh’s, name

“God has made me

Forget completely

My hardship and

My parental home”.

The place of brokenness;

The starting point of repair.

By means of rain,

And scent of heart,

Star Anise and cinnamon,

Cardamom and cloves,

Even as the grasses

(Re)turn to green.

-----

For more of Tiferet Welch's poetry, please visit her poetry channel or her Ritualwell profile.