Poetry for the Pandemic

Crowd-sourced poetry for the pandemic

On a recent Sunday morning, I offered a seminar on “Gratitude During Tough Times” via Zoom to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid in Milwaukee, WI. At one point, I asked people to respond to the prompt: “What are you grateful for from last night, what are you grateful for from this morning, and, as you look ahead, what are you grateful for in relation to this afternoon?” I posed this question after screening a spectacular short film on gratitude and reviewing the Modim prayer, which thanks God for the “Divine wonders and goodness that are with us evening, morning, and noon.”

The following lines were all typed into the chat by participants, but no triplet came from a single author. I joined ideas and phrasings that seemed to complement one another, to create a poem. What follows represents the wisdom of a crowd – and the gratitude of a community.

I am deeply grateful to the entire community and in particular to Deborah Intravaia, who was my liaison and gracious host – Rabbi Debra Orenstein

Daily Wonders During the Pandemic

A call from my son yesterday

A call from Israel from my daughter today

A planned walk in the sunshine

Last evening, putting my kids to bed

This morning, being able to go for a walk

Talking to my Rabbi later on

Talking to my children – last night and later today

Food on the table

Connecting with friends, despite distance

Walking with family

On a beautiful day

While social distancing

Sights of northern Wisconsin with my family

Beautiful music with beautiful voices

FaceTime with a 2-month grandson

Tears in my eyes