Poem by a friend

For J.L Borges

by Kimberly M. King rsj

c MperiodPress

Lullaby, hullabloo

fandango, frisbee, and kazoo!

Addiss Ababa, Walla Walla

hoedown, flapjacks, hoot and holler

One if by land, thar she blows!

Jumpin' jimminey, Geronimo!

Heads-Up, stiff upper lip

if they're loose, they sink the ship.

Holey moley, holy cow,

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou?

Testy, touchy, cross and cranky...

wallow, snivel, pass the hanky.

Gherkins, salami, proscuitto, gnocchi,

Ponchartrain, Atchafalaya, Okefenokee.

Zesty, zippy, energized

iris, vermillion, sunset skies.

Joy, bliss, revelry...

to set words free, our destiny.

Shiver, challenge, rhythm, beat,

feel the vibe, script your feet.

Pen, page, word, proclaim

living, creative, never the same.

Let it loose, go with the heart.

Taste them, touch them, words are art

that swoops and startles

that gleams and laughs

with ripples deep as glory

with trailing scarves 

diaphanous and suggesting.

The well-trained tongue gives shape

to the stories of

the image and likeness

of God.

It lifts the words from the page

where they are

sparking

with delight

reaching

to become

--Kimberly M. King--

cMperiod Press

Prayer

by Zelda
Each of us has a name given by God and given by our parents.
Each of us has a name given by our stature and our smile and given by what we wear.
Each of us has a name given by the mountains and given by our walls.
Each of us has a name given by the stars and given by our neighbors.
Each of us has a name given by our sins and given by our longing.
Each of us has a name given by our enemies and given by our love.
Each of us has a name given by our celebrations and given by our work.
Each of us has a name given by the seasons and given by our blindness.
Each of us has a name given by the sea and given by our death.

My partner, the Beloved, used this in her father's funeral service. Go to this website for more information:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Weekly_Torah_Commentary/bereisht_uahc5762.htm

It Doesn't Rain, but it Pours

My Beloved's father has been in hospice since I was in the hospital. She went to see him last weekend and only stayed overnight as she was worried about me. He was in poor shape, unable to communicate, but as she described, I think he knew she was there and was happy about that. She returned to NY on Christmas eve and he passed away on Tues. Because the funeral is in Florida, it won't be until Sunday. (In the Jewish tradition, the person is buried within 24 hours.) So, BL is making flight plans again.

I won't be attending as I still have this T-tube hanging from my belly, and all of this surgery, etc. seems to have exacerbated my Caude Equina Syndrome, so I am having neuropathy-like hat pins repeatedly stuck in areas where I have no feeling. Not to mention that it's Christmas week and my surgeon, neurologist and therapist are out of town. No problem. Did I mention that I had a T-tube cholangiogram which showed that I have a remaining gall stone or clot. Sigh!

After the funeral, she will be coming back to NY and we will be having a few nights of shiva. I better find some dressier sweat clothes!

MOURNER'S KADDISH
An English Translation

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.