115 - Before Rosh Hashanah

September 1, 1999

Pauline Dubkin Yearwood from the Chicago Jewish News called me the other day to ask if I had any New Year's resolutions. She's writing a piece for the paper and contacting members of Chicago's Jewish community, albeit a bit tongue-in-cheek. As I thought about an answer, the melody of Kol Nidre began playing in my head: so, I could make a resolution and ten days later deny it? I guess New Year's resolutions aren't a particularly Jewish thing. But New Year's aspirations ­ maybe that's something to consider. We are asked at the New Year to turn back to God, to be better people in the coming year than we have been. My aspirations: to once again study with others, something I have not pursued arranging; to unpile and organize all the paper that clutters my house; and to make a better effort to pay attention to those things I can do to improve and stabilize my health: exercise and nutrition. I guess it all really does mean a turning back to God: setting priorities, making the effort to improve.

One Hundred Fifteen

Before Rosh Hashanah

Shocked as summer's waited days
Change in an instant to autumn winds,
I shake myself, rushing, running
To catch hold of the season's turning.

Where have I been?
What have I hurried after
That pressed against Yamim Noraim
I am not ready.

Calm me as I turn to You, Beloved One.
Accept my jumbled thoughts and order them,
Quiet them, untangle these words
That seek to honor and praise You.

While I scramble over immediacies,
Open the door of my life.
Beloved One, unlatch my heart
And clear the path to You.

Looking ahead, I embrace the preparations
That have brought me to this day:
New doors in existing frames,
Changes to honor You, turning, turning.

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