Quite a Stranger

The J-Blogosphere Grim and Morbid Festival is winding down already, but this contribution was baking at the height of it, I just didn't have time to post. See DOTK (my other blog) for a follow-up Torah Thought to be posted a little later today iy"H.

"Why are you staring at me like that? I don't know you. I don't even want to look at you, you ugly creature! Go away!

"Why does it bother me to see your fixed gaze? I can feel it, the hatred in you probing eyes. Why-- what did I ever do to you? Tell me, you shrunken, shriveled old woman! Answer me if you can!

"I dare you to keep up your stony silence. Haven't I seen enough pain, without having seen you, wretched thing! Just leave me alone!

The bitterness welled up inside her head and her tightly balled fist. Barely conscious of what she was doing, her fury shot out, knocking that woman off her feet.

The impact stung her knuckles and her heart. Through shards of glass, the teenager pulled her gnarled and misshapen hand, and gazed deeper into the mirror, searching for the young girl that Hitler had stolen.

--Loosely based on a true account.

Snowball

"There's a snowball in my closet,
Been saving it since March.
Someday I'll throw it far,
But today's too cold and dark.

There's a snowball in my closet,
I'm saving it for June.
I have to go to school now,
But I'll have time to play soon."


"I'd like to go have fun outside
And enjoy nature's sights,
But I'm just much too busy,
Gotta work from dawn 'til night.

Relaxation's nice and pleasant
But it will have to wait
Because there are more important things
I have to do today."


Someday in the near future
You'll be absolutely free
To do the things you've always wanted --
You have my guarantee.

But I'm afraid, dear brother
That when that big day comes
You'll open up your closet
And find your snowball's
..................................................Gone.

Silent Song

I recently had the opportunity to have a look into a shul's genizah (that's where they keep religious items that are no longer used). Here's my first attempt to verbalize my feelings. There will probably be more.

I entered with the solemnity of the approach to a deathbed. I didn't know what to expect, but I was sure it would end in tears.

The quiet in the room was perfect. Nothing stirred. Waiting... waiting.

Then from the silence rose the whisper of time. It slowly crept out from the wrinkles, seeping through cracks to harmonize with the stillness. Sensing my listening ear, the voice of the ages grew stronger and began to flow.

I was deeply attracted to it. How could I fulfill my mission? There was a song in the room, a soundless tune that echoed off the walls. It was beautiful, bitter yet sweet, rising from the dust to proclaim its life. Spellbound, I wondered how I could be the one to silence it, the harbinger of death. It was a task for the heartless, I thought, not for a lover like me.

There was pain in the song. Listening closely, I began to realize that it was not directed at me. It was the pain of a soul abandoned far from home. It was a call, an entreaty to give it one last chance, to bring back the glory of its youth in its final days.

I am still sure it will end in tears, but I am also happy. I am happy to grant last respects to an old friend. I am happy I am the agent, instead of a heartless brute. Most of all, I'm happy I was able to hear.

Post-Purim Haiku

Forgot Havdalah,

Rabbi too drunk to pasken:

Ah gantz yohr Peerim.

(Translation:

Since I didn't make havdalah,

I'll just have to keep celebrating

Purim all year)