"Shebi" Three in the morning It was half-time and she was a cheerleader. All eyes were on her, but especially Those of the team captain. Suddenly she was at the prom Dressed in white like Cinderella When her husband’s voice intruded rudely. “Shebi! Wake up,” he shouted, pulling her up. “It’s another Code Red – run to Yuval’s room!” He was already running to their living room. She yelled to her husband, “Leave the dog! We...

Wanderlust trips erratic rambles Blazes me forward without any thought Brooks effuse productive gurgles Splishing down the bump'ety walk   My soul is petted by the forest Soothing silence, natures' seductive caress Thought is washed from every crevice Vacuums of blankness, my perfect bliss   Lying still, birdsong slowly fades The crickets begin their symphonies measure Even'tide comes with its hairbrush and braids Plaited...

"Jameela" Three in the morning The shuffle of Rezek’s feet wake her from her thoughts, Not that she was really sleeping. Who can sleep with so much to worry about? Her husband’s pillow is empty. Soon Yousef will come to visit us, My husband’s friend from madrasa. These days Yousef is a big-time commander in Hamas. He will ask about Rezek. Why isn’t he in madrasa like the other boys, he’ll ask, But he’ll mean why isn’t he...

"Yuval" Three in the morning A soft blue light emanated under the blanket. His father stared into the darkness at the tell-tale light And whispered, “Aren’t you asleep yet?” “Wait! I’m fighting the Klaxons,” Yuval whispered back. The twelve-year-old jinxed left and downward Avoiding a thorg and racked up survival points Passing safely through an asteroid belt When the sirens started blaring through the walls And the phone...

"Rezek" Three in the morning Jupiter stares through a crack in the ceiling And Rezek has no time for dreams. He gets out of bed fully dressed And walks barefoot to the porch Where his father pours him a small cup Of scalding bittersweet coffee Which he blows on and sips quickly Slips on his shoes and runs through the night To his uncle’s bakery. Rezek works the furnace and the dough-cutter Eleven hours a day and is lucky...

I will try and always be there for youForever and ever, whenever you may need meBecause you’re my lover and my friendMay I offer, you my broad shoulders And be that pillow when neededMay my ears, be there to listenWhen you need, something of your chest. You’re my lover, that I’ll do anything forBecause I’d travel vast distances bare footAcross the great Saharan desertWith sands, hot like embers on a fireThat sparks and cr...

You welcomed me,allowed me inso unafraid of love. You simply realizedonce morehow right it is to love.To garner love and share itas often as you may. To say it, often, now and thenbefore you lose your way.To never be ashamed of it,ashamed to say you've loved.To say that you have loved once moreand will be loved as well.Loving as you live your life,with arms encompassing. Open widely, freely,to take in all the love.Believi...

Look, I know you are someone else’s Valentine For the rest of the year, can I imagine you are mine?  We both decided, we will try and fight it Scared to risk it, but just as scared to miss it We’ll be pretending we’re fine – hoping we will be in time.  Midnight belongs to us, an ending and beginning all at once I miss your voice, your imagination Wishing we had another choice and no limitation.  The change in the seasons...

Though you cannot hold me, I'm with you anyway; God had special plans for me, I got my wings today.   I did not want to leave you, but no longer could I stay; My time on Earth was over and I had to go away.   I'll be watching over you, do not be dismayed; I'm safely up in Heaven, I got my wings today.   I love you very dearly, in so very many ways; We'll be reunited when you get your wings someday.  

I love you, Mom, don't shed a tear, Please know that I am always near.   I'm never farther than a thought away, I'm with you every night and day.   I am the kiss of the morning dew, I am God's creature that watches you.   I am the flicker of the lightning bug, And the evening breeze? That is my hug.   I am the twinkle of every star, To remind you that I'm never far.   So when you feel you can't make it through, Just look...

I move through the interstitial layers, I smoke in the basement, I write in the margins, and grow in the cracks I'm lost and I'm looking, all around the edges, and I'll never find more than a crumb because it's designed that way They say I've lost thirty-percent of my mind, but not the main part I'm only seen when there aren't many people around, I'm only heard by accident I don't speak, unless someone speaks to me, but w...

  The Dancer   Dancing for dollars over whistles and hollers,showing skin from her head to her toes –she was Friday night’s rage on a drab smoky stage,tucking bills in the band of her hose. The job was no treasure and it brought her no pleasure,only tips and some offers for trade,a tender for sin from lascivious men –but alas, there were bills to be paid. Departure was swift at the end of her shift –to escape from the smo...

The Hoopoe’s Call(Harken!)He heard a call from the branches of a treeSomewhere in the woods along the path he walked,Stick in hand to steady his stepsLike a shepherd’s staff.But where?He looked around to seeWho or what had made that call,Almost child-like, but not quite.(Come!)It called again.He squinted his eyes toward the dappling shadowsThe trees made with their leaves and branches,Searching tree by tree for something...

MemoriesOf the pastThe presentThe future Walking out into a winter landscapeThe freedomThe crispnessSo freshIce between tiny toes will chill And a little ballerina paw liftsPick up the pupHold him closeProtectivelyCompletely sure he is safeWithin your loving arms One more memoryTakes its place A chilly morning above the lakeIn a camper with herVery same feelingsAnd sensationsWhile holding your belovedCreating future remem...

When I look back upon that dayAll those many years agoAnd think of what may have beenWhen I laid my eyes upon herThat day in the college canteen. As I looked at her from afarMy heart started to beat fasterI could not help but stareAt the beauty before meAnd wonder if she was an angel from above. My eyes looked her up and downThe beautiful feminine figureSlowly I looked up her bodyAnd into her big beautiful eyesIn an insta...