Exodus

we stand again
at the foot of the mountain of God
and everything is speaking to us
terror and beauty,
in language that is beyond
the knowable

Make Me an altar
hewn directly from the earth
no steps or mountains
to ascend, only needing
your assent to arrive,
your yielding, your fierce attention
your pliable love.

I see you Miriam,
named for the bitter
and the sea, marah
seeping in mayim,
what better way
to live in Torah
than as herb and medicine

We moved alone and together
ascending, descending,
stepping towards,
moving away, our longing
mirroring the fire
and dark.