Matthew Anish Poet Concrete

Poem Before Passover

Soon enough we will gather
for the festive meal 
   We will tell the tale 
  of the liberation of the Hebrew slaves 
We will drink wine,
    sing and enjoy 
   This festival comes 
once a year 
 In my imagination 
  I can taste the gefilte fish and horseradish 
I can taste the hard boiled egg, charoses and parsley 
All in my imagination 
   Soon enough Passover will 
arrive 
  Looking forward to feasting 
 and chanting 
The years bring sorrow 
   My father will not be at 
the seder this year 
His memory lingers on 
He may be looking down 
   from somewhere 
Watching as we re - enact 
    the ancient ritual
and smiling

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Richard Lamoureux March 24, 2017 at 9:24 AM Sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed Passover with friends and it is good to give thanks to God and commemorate His Majesty and Purpose.

Ilene Bauer March 22, 2017 at 3:02 PM sorry to hear about your father, matthew, but i like the thought of him watching and smiling. passover is my favorite jewish holiday and i, too, look forward to it every year. i enjoyed your poem...

Deborah Burch March 21, 2017 at 6:23 PM Matthew...I'm sorry to hear your father will not be there. I pray G_d's blessings for you and your family... hugs deb

Andrea Dietrich March 21, 2017 at 5:36 PM Matt, it's nice to know you have this custom. But gosh, that food sounds terrible (except for the hard boiled egg). Do you have lots of relatives to do this with?

Jan Allison March 21, 2017 at 7:39 AM what wonderful memories you bring me Matthew as I was a private nanny to a Jewish family and loved taking part in the festivals - oh gefilte fish and I loved the chicken soup and knedle, challah and so many other lovely foods we had over the year :-) hugs jan xx