search
Vicki Cabot

365

Day dawns
New day dawns Photo by Vicki Cabot

numbers scribbled on wrinkled bits of masking tape, stuck on shirts and blouses
ascending
362, 363, 364

towards 365

almost a year since the barbaric attack
in gaza
men, women, children, wantonly murdered
maimed raped
100s taken captive

and still war rages on multiple fronts,
the hostages are not free
and their families wait
and wait

even as Israel valiantly defends its people
even as pagers explode
air strikes rout out the terrorist curse

sons and daughters are sent to war
even as Israeli mothers hope and pray
every war will be the last

and parents lie awake at night,
dreading the knock at the door,
a soldier fallen
a husband, a son, a daughter

and fathers keen in cemeteries as their children are laid to rest, and a mother calls out to her son as she buries him, my sweet boy

and so I struggle with the ugly reality of war
the enormity of the loss of human life

of the terrorists intent to annihilate a people
fueled by a depth of hatred of
Jews

and so, as 365 looms
a new year comes

round challahs studded with plump raisins

reminding of the roundness of the year, days, weeks, months, years
one on to another in the eternal cycle

sweet wine and apples dipped in honey,
savoring each sip, each bite

and gladdening us

as we gather to hear the blasts of the shofar
awakening us

calling on us to carry on,
to root out evil
to seek what is good and right

to be the blessing, not the curse

to come together in hope, in prayer
as we mark 365, the end of a year of death and despair

as day dawns
and we begin anew.

About the Author
A writer and editor, Vicki has been recognized for excellence by the American Jewish Press Association, Arizona Press Club and Arizona Press Women. Her byline has appeared for more than 30 years in Jewish News of Greater Phoenix and in a variety of other publications. A Wexner Heritage Scholar, she holds masters degrees in communications and religious studies from Arizona State University and a Ph.D in religious studies also from ASU.
Related Topics
Related Posts