Elul Reflections: The Black Zero of Beginning

A poem by Marge Piercy:

The Head of the Year

The moon is dark tonight, a new

moon for a new year.  It is

hollow and hungers to be full.

It is the black zero of beginning.

Now you must void yourself

of injuries, insults, incursions.

Go with empty hands to those

you have hurt and make amends.

It is not too late.  It is early

and about to grow.  Now

is the time to do what you

know you must and have feared

to begin.  Your face is dark

too as you turn inward to face

yourself, the hidden twin

of all you must grow to be.

Forgive the dead year.  Forgive

Yourself.  What will be wants

To push through your fingers.

The light you seek hides

In your belly.  The light you

Crave longs to stream from

Your eyes.  You are the moon

That will wax in new goodness.

We look forward to turning inward together (High Holy Day service schedule).  L’shanah tovah–Your RS Clergy