The Ordination
What I recall most
about the moment
you became a rabbi
?
The diamond ring
.
The sunlight
that entered the synagogue
to pray
instead married
the gem upon your finger
.
United
,
their brilliance
flashed messages
about the sanctuary
which were these
:
I
!
I was a woman only
.
Now I am woman
,
a rabbi
,
a changer
,
a wife
,
and soon to be a mother
.
You seemed not to notice
the statements you made
.
Robed in black
,
your eyes fixed
upon your mentor
,
your slender fingers
gripping the sleeves
of his robe
.
He rested his hands
upon your shoulders
,
speaking words meant
for your ears alone
,
only the Torahs
in the open ark
to witness the secrets he shared
.
6 thoughts on "The Ordination "
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Paints a striking picture of a sacred ceremony. I especially love the second stanza.
Leah nails it — great images and imagery. You just keep rolling these good ones out.
Slight revision:
What I recall most
about the moment
you became a rabbi
?
The diamond ring
.
The sunlight
that entered the synagogue
to pray
instead married
the gem upon your finger
.
United
,
their brilliance
flashed messages
about the sanctuary
which were these
:
I
!
I was a woman only
.
Now I am woman
,
a rabbi
,
a changer
,
a wife
,
and soon to be a mother
.
You seemed not to notice
the statements you made
.
Robed in black
,
your eyes fixed
upon your mentor
,
your slender fingers
gripping the sleeves
of his robe
.
He rested his hands
upon your shoulders
,
speaking words meant
for you alone
,
only the Torahs
in the open ark
to witness the secrets he shared
.
Final revision
What I recall most
about the moment
you became a rabbi
?
The diamond ring
.
The sunlight
entering the synagogue
to pray
married instead
the gem upon your finger
.
United
,
their brilliance
flashed messages
about the sanctuary
which were these
:
I
!
I was a woman only
.
Now I am woman
,
a rabbi
,
a changer
,
a wife
,
and soon a mother
.
You seemed not to notice
the statements you made
.
Robed in black
,
your eyes fixed
upon your mentor
,
your slender fingers
gripping the sleeves
of his robe
.
He rested his hands
upon your shoulders
,
speaking words meant
for your ears alone
,
only the Torahs
in the open ark
to witness the secrets he shared
.
The Ordination
What I remember
?
The diamond ring
.
The sunlight
that entered the synagogue
to pray
married instead
the gem upon your finger
.
United
,
their brilliance
flashed messages
about the sanctuary
which were these
:
I
!
I was a woman then
.
& a woman now
,
a rabbi
,
a changer
,
a wife
,
a mother (to be)
.
You seemed not to notice
the wedding
.
Robed in black
,
your eyes fixed
upon your mentor
,
your slender fingers
gripping the sleeves
of his robe
.
He rested his hands
upon your shoulders
,
speaking words meant
for you alone
,
only the Torahs
in the open ark
to witness the secrets he shared
.
Latest revision:
The Ordination
What I remember
?
The diamond ring
.
The sunlight
that entered the synagogue
to pray
married instead
the gem upon your finger
.
United
,
their brilliance
flashed messages
about the sanctuary
which were these
:
I
!
I was a woman then
.
& a woman now
,
a rabbi
,
a changer
,
a wife
,
a mother (to be)
.
You seemed not to notice
the wedding
.
Robed in black
,
your eyes fixed
upon your mentor
,
your slender fingers
gripping the sleeves
of his robe
.
He rested his hands
upon your shoulders
,
speaking words meant
for you alone
,
only the Torahs
in the open ark
to witness the secrets he shared
.