We Have the Stars

Holiness is a gift given by God through toil,

His yoke harnesses all our frenetic energy

to the work of six hundred and thirteen mitzvot,

God’s given plan through a holy book.

‘Don’t let’s ask for the moon, we have the stars.’

— Bette Davis, Now Voyager

Don’t ask for the Messiah when we have the Lord!

Fatigued, so worn, hanging onto the norm,

our eyes map out the constellations,

searching for signs of God amidst the star studded sky.

We’re in the ether where there’s no weather,

amidst God’s fields of moons and giant gas planets, still

we are but cosmic dust from dust.

Place Your yoke upon us so that we have a purpose!

Your words bring us close, closer to the holy!

‘She knows the dream you’re dreaming of…’

  — Jim Morrison, the Doors

35.

We’re spinning through space with an old phonograph,

measuring the ethereal with a brass chronograph.

In a dark sea with crystal suns,

in this early winter’s starry night,

in groups of ten we begin to pray,

melodies from over the centuries

call to You, to You we sing!

Our prayers are for a fair haven or a heaven,

 our souls long to waltz with Thee

amidst the cosmic seas.

Do You weather all the wicked and the wild-eyed,

or do You cry?

Hush now…

We’ll sing to You a holy lullaby.

We’ll give what’s left of our life’s breath.

Some pray to remember, some pray to forget.

God, may we be worthy of Your sacred words!

Hopefully we’re right on our soul’s course!

We hope to find You within Your words,

within Your circling universe,

all life’s around and about You, the Lord!

                                                                                                                                                .36