I know that this is the time
to clean my house
rid my drawers and cabinets
of the crumbs
the remains
of all that has risen, and held me back
the mistakes, the missed opportunities
the hurt
this is the time to sweep it away
and pack up what I can’t hide
The mystics tell us that hametz is like our egos
puffed up and a bit too proud
Smug in our comfort and joy
it just gets in the way of growth
and wisdom
so we remove what we can
But this year we are all
stuck
at home
and separated from all that is familiar
unsure about where we are going
and what we did so wrong
So let me bake bread
Because a sickness is spreading
a virus without a cure
They say it is new
it is novel
but I know we have been here before
I know what it is
it’s just another plague
in time for Passover
one more dot on my plate
a drop of wine from my cup
yet this time
with no miracle to save us
In Egypt, my ancestors had no time to spare
their bread was flat and dry
fleeing from slavery,
they didn’t bother with the pleasantries
of a normal life
of searching empty supermarket shelves
for flour
and yeast
of hiding in our homes
We are told
they left in haste
but I have the time
So let me bake bread
I need to observe that miracle once more
the rising of the dough, the sweet smell of growth and change
the pride of this work of my own hands
at least I have that
This year
our hard earned freedom
has taught us to care for all those we encounter
in this world
with the strength of protest and
the quiet calm of an open hand
Yet our memory and the story we tell
demands that this year we sit alone
our words a bit softer than before
And that’s why I knead
I need
that experience of creation
To do the hard work
just a few ingredients,
flour, water, salt and the dreaded yeast
taking the time to massage the dough
Let me bake bread
just one more time
before I pack it all away
Let the dough take its time to rise
to show its rightful pride
reaching up slowly to the heavens
and resisting the flames below
This year we celebrate the freedom
to look toward the future
and I’ll take my hands away
only when it is all done
There is so much work to do
but I won’t rush
With time
we will continue to reach out
to those who need
our embrace
we will will work to fix what is
broken
we will
heal
and
we will
rise
