(c) 2022 - Rabbi Joe Black
In a room sizzling with summer energy
Brimming with braces, tank tops, fears, insecurity and excitement:
Each soul an empty bucket longing to be filled with love
She burst in-
Brown fiery eyes peaking over the top of her massive Martin D-35
Thumb and finger picks flying
Strings splitting open at breakneck speed
She commanded us to
Sing.
Unto.
God.
And God help us if we didn’t….
God helped us and we did.
In her presence we were special.
In her passion we were perfect.
How could so much joy flow through 12 jingle jangle strings?
We sang with lungs bursting and found harmony that transcended music.
Dancing, clapping, laughing, slipping and crying on pathways to paradise.
She taught us to see
She fed us
Pain
Joy
Passion and
Pathos
We were hers
She was ours
And for a brief moments we sprouted wings and floated, transcendent,
Over long liquid days of Wisconsin corn fields and mosquitos bites
Breaking free from the awkward, earthly chains of burgeoning adolescence
Transforming into Angels
Carrying messages of love and laughter
Hope and holiness
We fit.
We were
One.
And let us say: Amen.
my heart. Thank you Joe. This is how I remember her from those early days at Sinai in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteLikewise... she is missed.
ReplyDeleteיהי זכרה ברוך!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joe. Many memories captured in your poem. ד"ש חם.
Thank you for bringing your beloved friend and mentor to shine in this beautiful poetry about her life so well lived and loved, PAGL
ReplyDeleteEvery word so true of her entire life, and of every life she touched. May her memory be a blessing, and may we continue to carry her light.
ReplyDelete