Bread clings to back teeth
Footsteps sound slow and steady
Moonlight hovers close and heavy
An appointment waits, anticipates

Footsteps sound slow and steady
Incomprehensible words burrow and burn
An appointment waits, anticipates
Fear and fatigue wrap around unbidden

Incomprehensible words burrow and burn
Silent dark shapes follow and move ahead
Fear and fatigue wrap around unbidden
Forward into night moves duty

Silent dark shapes follow and move ahead
Weakness sleeps unsuspecting
Forward into night moves duty
Solitary pleading bleeds and flows

Weakness sleeps unsuspecting
Love stretched and tested
Solitary pleading bleeds and flows
Duty, love, courage entwine, wrap around enfolding

Love stretched and tested
Sound of praise permeates the evening
Duty, love, courage entwine, wrap around enfolding
Memory of wine remains.
 

A Pantoum for Passover
February 15, 2004