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[parshapoem]

Chazak chazak v’nitchazek

We’ve reached the end of the Torah! I’ve loved writing these poems and sharing them. I’m not going to do another cycle, but I encourage other people to try writing parsha poems - it’s a great way to learn and think about the ideas that come up. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy learning the next cycle of the Torah.

strength strength may we be strengthened

[parshapoem]

V’Zot HaBrachah

blessing falls like water from the hands of our prophet our river-born child as we stand by the water ready to cross.

with blessing of a dew-filled sky blessing of the deeps that rise the rain has come.

[parshapoem]

Haazinu

Your summer ended that day alone on the mountain and I wanted to write you a poem or a song but I found one already written. If your words were the rain — drumming on dead pavement, feeding flowers in the hills — let mine be the dew.

It is so hard to remember. My mother will not tell me, my elders do not speak, we are lost with no gods and this is not your land.

A time of turns the sky is grey with promise. No lambs play in the mountains now and my memory may fail, but today — today I found your song.

[parshapoem]

Vayeilech

will it rain soon? I can feel every scar where you hurt me

sometimes I hide until you believe you’ll never see me

I’ve known you so long and now I hear your song returning

I wrote this song for you read it, and be strong I still hold you.

[parshapoem]

Nitzavim

Today we all stand, here and elsewhere. Secrets belong to God but today is ours.

Wherever you turn, you will find today— not in heaven nor beyond the sea but in your heart and on your tongue. We return.

[parshapoem]

Ki Tavo

I’m settled here another year’s fruits given to the priests, grain in the storehouse I am blessed

It wasn’t always so my father was a wanderer, my mother gave birth in the fields, we cried we cried out so

Who will I be this year? blessed with my basket and my kneading bowl? blessed in comings and goings? Or cursed with strange rulers and a land of dust. God knows.

[parshapoem]

Ki Teitzei

she waits in the corner of the field, she gathers the forgotten grapes. she will not be borrowed nor claimed by another her clothes are her own and she spits in their face. a widow gleans where she will.

[parshapoem]

Shoftim

two witnesses to kill a man two cast the first stone two witnesses to marry them joy sings in Jerusalem.

two witnesses, earth and sky for a promise for forever both may it be in this world and in the world to come.

[parshapoem]

Reeh

How many peaks beyond the river? Two, a blessing and a curse. How do I cross from here to there? Bury your dead and follow the fire.

Bury your dead and follow the fire, open your hand and let seeds fall, pour blood on the earth like water for the land needs its life.

Are you ready to live in the land? Is the distance too great for you? If only you heeded there would be no needy — they will always be needy, for you do not heed.

The birds fly high above the river, kites and herons, seers all, they see two peaks, but do not land — cross, and they shall see you.

[parshapoem]

Eikev

I did not climb for the angels. This is not their book.

Who are the stars of heaven, but you? this is your land and this your word.

on the peak, God's finger pointed for you.

[parshapoem]

Vaetchanan

when, since the beginning, have heaven and earth seen such as this?

who, from the ends of heaven, has heard God speak from fire and lived?

why us, the smallest of peoples not city-builders nor ancient greats, but us, us?

where we stand, unturning, we look into the fire. there we hear God is One.

[parshapoem]

Devarim

God knows I've led you long enough wandered with you, carried you I led your parents up to their land but they saw giants and would not go.

You were children then and now you are old so turn north you've waited long enough I've lived long enough it is your time to go.

[parshapoem]

Matot-Masei

how does one go from Rameses to the Jordan Sukkot, Sinai, Kadesh through parted seas storms of birds sister against brother spies defiant falling manna

where Miriam's well ran dry and Aaron felt God's kiss. at the river, remember the numbers left on the way.

[parshapoem]

Pinchas

Things pass away⁠— fathers, mothers⁠— and things remain. the breath moves from one to another hands on shoulders they take their place. inheritors of a broken peace.

[parshapoem]

Balak

She came to me in the night told me not to go She told me not to curse the blessed

I was caught in the fields pressed against the wall how could I see where to go

Like cedars by water this dust is thrice blessed how can I turn from you

[parshapoem]

Chukat

We were without water after her death I remembered the rock years ago how I drew water from stone sister beside me. I struck the rock again, without words but time is like water and drops into dust. I, too, will die in the desert.

[parshapoem]

Korach

are we not all holy? you have too much who are you to hold yourself high?

is it not enough to be close to God who are you to stand apart?

move away, move away do not be swallowed all of  us here are made from one breath.