תשובה (Teshuva)

 

The truth is, I am not sorry.

I will not apologize

For the skirt that hangs above my knees

Or the lipstick tinged with feminism.

I will not sit shiva

For your pride               

And the angelic little faces

In your wallet-sized photo album.

 

You say, “Honey, a little teshuva never hurt a soul”

But Grandma,

Teshuva does not mean “repent”

It means “return”

And I am not sorry for moving forward.

 

You can toss all the breadcrumbs you want

Into the stream

With a “Baruch atah Adonai” for each damn one.

My woman knees refuse to buckle

Even for a god.

 

So you are welcome at my Seder.

But know that in my home

The gefilte fish are seasoned with rebellion

And we do things just slightly

Out of order.