Day 1339, Rosh Hashanah, 5781

 

At sunset, Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat,

A year, a day, a time, coincidence.

This year we have to contemplate a lot:

What caused the fires, the floods, the pestilence?

 

The new year means new life may start again;

We harvest grain, make flour, make bread to bake.

Shabbat means stop and think…and then begin,

And ask, “Are there new pathways we should take?”

 

We all hope this year’s better than the last.

That will not happen if we only pray,

Nor will it if we simply stand aghast.

We have to change paths that led us astray.

 

We have to work together, free of fear,

To reap the promise of the coming year.

 

Stephen Baird, September 18, 2020: 29 Elul, 5780