Atonement is At One Ment

A new poem about Yom Kippur by Gloria Tessler.

At One Ment is to be an adult. To be an adult is to be Fractured, dissonant, Uncertain. Finding Footsteps in dark And silent places, Losing your way. At One Ment is to be a child. Graciously perceptive, Holding back tears That may hurt an adult, Hiding your child-face Yet innocent of future’s prize. At One Ment is to be old, Waiting on another’s mood, Losing the wisdom Attributed to age. In fumbling footsteps, In averted eyes, Waiting at the door of those Who love or may not love, Who plump your pillow, And whisper above your head. Your mouth is opened, And your lips declare the prayer.