The Reasonable Mind

Terza Rima and Imagery

Glass doors witness the lives of devoted depth,
Where giggling children file into Hebrew class upstairs,
While armed men at each entrance measure death.

The old depart from temple, bearing prayers,
Their sneakers rest in Shabbat’s sacred space,
As preserved history clings to frames and guards the stairs.

The scent of Challah warms the gathering place.
All kinds welcome, where fear and comfort meet.
They say, “They tried to kill us. We survived. Let’s eat.” ¹

¹ Traditional Jewish saying often used to summarize the tone of Jewish holidays and communal resilience.