Rosh Ha-Shanah
New Year
New moon of Tishri
Dawning darkly
First stars
Sparkling pathways
From the past
Into the future

Hinneini
Here I am
Standing on the threshold
Of the new year
Ready
But
Retreating

T’shuvah?
I turn back from the brink
Sarah’s laughter
Ringing in my ears
New life?
New beginning?
Is it possible?
For me?

 
 

 

 

And then
In the desert
Of those questions
Hagar’s eyes
Opening mine
Forcing me
To turn around again
Pressing me
To look forward
To gaze into the landscape
Beyond
To see
Wells of water
In the wilderness

Hinneini
Here I am
Standing on the threshold
Of the new year
Ready
To begin
Again

 
 

 

 

Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah

 

Published in:
Machzor Ruach Chadashah. Services for the Days of Awe. Liberal Judaism, London, 2003, p. 39.