It is Elul a question mark of a month we ask who and how and what we have harmed. I've said they they have harmed the earth then I said we we have damaged the earth and now I say I I have harmed the earth and each day I chant
deforestation
degradation
extinction
pollution
and I pray for Her (out on my deck in the fire-sickened air) and name one fracking toxic waste
after another but there are more ways we have damaged the earth than there are days of Elul tomorrow is the last day of Elul and there is more to name before the New Year begins
California is on fire are the gods in retreat watching our mourning our grief our worry have they decided there is nothing they can do for us since we are their hands?
A bird lands near me the simplicity of sweetness the bird flies up to the tree which the fire department says is too close to the chimney
On New Year we will dip an apple in honey But for now?
Two things I had to learn before I found sweetness - 1.The endangered Siberian crane called Omid in Farsi which means hope winters in rice fields on the Caspian sea. 2. When a Muslim leaves on a journey the Koran is held over their head to ensure their return.
In her painting Naeemeh Naeemaei wears the white of cranes she holds the holy book over the head of the bird over the head of Omid over the head of Hope
