February 2019
Author's Note: February has President's Day, and President's Week. It reminds me we used to have a president. Though "grace" is not a Jewish concept, I'm interested in the idea—and was very moved by our last (final?) president's singing "Amazing Grace" during his eulogy for the victims of the massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. For more news, and with some fake news thrown in just to keep pace with the times, visit alanwalowitz.com.
Grace
Seems not quite right to trouble a little girl
with that stately-lady name.
But, sure enough, someone did,
in hopes, maybe, she’d grow into a willowy tree
or the gentlest rain.
But it’s Gracie-- for now,--two long vowels make for
a name she can wrap her mouth around.
Though the preacher says,
There’s nothing Now about Grace--
It’s like the rain that cometh--or doesn’t--
from nothing said, or done or, even, prayed.
We’ve just gotta wait on the Lord.
But what if it takes more than the time we’ve set aside,
or the time He’s alloted--,
or ends up being, as promised, but like the rain
the time we didn’t want it,
rumbling against our arrival at the beach,
a short stay we’d long planned
against life’s frequent confusion,
bikes and chairs strapped to the roof,
with no promise of surcease up ahead
and, the way we’ve packed the back of the car,
no hope of seeing what’s coming from behind?
Or we get none out west where we need it most,
while the almond-growers are squeezing the last ounce
from the ground like a mop wrung dry.
Whatever it is, He’ll give it to us anyway,
but in His own good time.
Still, How sweet the sound, the President sings,
and despite any doubts I keep to myself,
I’m sure that makes little Gracie happy--
She saw him once on Sesame Street.
originally appeared in Exactly Like Love, published by Osedax Press
© 2018 Alan Walowitz
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