Write To Life     by Elana Horwitz

Just Go Inside

Elana Horwitz

originally published in Hamodia

I told my child
That when she hears a siren
She should go immediately to a prepared protected place.

And when she is somewhere unfamiliar
And there is no prepared protected place
She should just go inside, inside, inside
Because in the innermost place
She will find protection.

On Rosh Hashana when I listened to the shofar
I reminded myself of things it means
But I wasn't really hearing it
So I let go of telling myself what it means
And I listened to it tell me what it means…

I welcomed the shofar inside, inside, inside
To that innermost space.

The shofar was compelling as a siren
And sweet
As a New Year.

I allowed its serenity
I absorbed its consistency
The shofar was clarity was comfort.

I heard
That there is always that truthful place inside
And when I access it I am protected.

I can get there
By listening for the shofar
Any day
Not only the Starting day.

A woman stood in my shul
Her face a page of prayer
Trembling and crying and aware
And close to her Creator.

I want to be her every day
Not just the First.