Write To Life     by Elana Horwitz

Out Of Slavery

A Passover Poem


Elana Horwitz

originally published in Yated Ne'eman


It starts with a story.
It starts by telling yourself
That this year can be different from all other years
Because this year you’re older
And this year you’re learning
As you clean for Pesach
That closets are much like
Hearts.

There is so much clutter within
Messes that instill fear in you when you allow yourself one tiny glimpse
Despair so deep that it makes you want to shut the door
Securely, resolutely, cowardly.

But you’re an adult now, and challenge beckons
So you face your incredible discomfort
And you deal with it
So that it doesn’t continue to get the better of you
Or control you
So that it doesn’t become your master
And drive you mad.

Facing its creepiness, you gain power over it.

It’s wrenching
To toss the extraneous
But stuff gets old, and burdensome
And wears you out
You discover healing in approaching it, getting rid of it,
Clearing space for the new


And it startles you to find
Treasures
Old stuff, but oh, precious things that should never be tossed
Things that must only be loved, cared for
Savored with delicacy
Memories so tender that they hurt you and make you cry
And make you dream
And make you whole

You dig through this all
Sort it out
Make some sense of it
Create Order

Passing Over sharp hurdles, you move on, aching and triumphant, towards your goal.

You learn to relish your pain - it is a growing pain. You’re bigger now.

Scarred, never to be fully healed, you
Burst through the confines of the challenges that weigh you down. You
Tackle your closeted heart.
Tidying it
The best you can

Then you begin to tell yourself that this painful process is perfect.
And when you start believing your own voice,
You begin your journey to
Freedom