Sincere Cliches for Elul

you and I, God
are one in the same
and complete strangers

soulmates and magnets repelling
a chromosome of spirit separates
an everblooming seed

eternally and simultaneously
potential and completion
accompanied and alone

you and I, God
need each other
to recognize ourselves

23 Headlines and a Cartoon Bubble

hoping this new rush pans out
US fights the clock
easier said than done

tax idea gaining weight
art hits new heights
is latest curse to check in

a gift and how
we might pay for it
in the gun-selling business

justices weigh major shift
stir up rough seas
attack killer rapist

mired in fear
yes, in theory
a record of safety worries

voters' fingers cut off
secret burials reported
chief slams release

militant lays down arms
shifts tactics
would-be assassin is freed

network fears crackdown
poisoning sparks investigation
okay, pull the plug

Spirit Lust

(from the collection Wanton Psalms)

I only want to

rub my heart

and rifle through your cards

catch your eyes

in action

slightly more expansive

I seek your face

everywhere

avoiding too loud

in the hope

of hearing your silence

my unrequited spirit lust

searches for a long pause

is that the problem

is my vacuous desire

my human ache

showing too plainly

a sting brings back the purpose

chaos vision

eloquence astounds

meaningless and all that's true

the wonder of how to

embody

a beautiful Hadith

from the collected oral tradition of Islam, this teaching highlights religious commonality:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "For the Jews (the day designated by God for communal prayer) was Saturday, and for the Christians it was Sunday. And God turned toward us (Muslims) and guided us to Friday (as the day of communal prayer). In fact, (God) made Friday, Saturday and Sunday (as days of prayer)."

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 417

An Elul Poem

Back to Work

there I think

of your known elements

and how we will soon begin again--

words unnecessarily split

from meaning and sweet sound

amuse but require

all elements to move--

needs the unseen

unfelt touch

to loose the chord--

your vellum face

over my environment

fades but my eyes

will not forget

nor unfog

I feel and not feel

see and not see

you and not you

--my methods

means and devices

are primitive and paltry

my intention in contrast

shift the mother angle

toward the beloved

with me--I will--

move the elements

I can touch

we will soon begin again