Earth Etude for Elul 12 –Two Poems

by Judith Felsen, Ph.D.

Urban Garden

~ Urban garden
tiny patch of heaven
nestled amidst brick and stone;
kales and chards salute the sky
bok choy sentry elegant,
celery, parsleys hold court
while lettuce species dance,
each offering a breath of life
oxygen of garden’s greens
infuses air
lungs spared inhale

may urban gardens grace this world,
edible planted prayers of green
reviving life and city air;
urban garden
blessing ground and all

Urban garden
tiny patch of heaven
nestled amidst brick and stone;
kales and chards salute the sky
bok choy sentry elegant,
celery, parsleys hold court
while lettuce species dance,
each offering a breath of life
oxygen of garden’s greens
infuses air
lungs spared inhale

may urban gardens grace this world,
edible planted prayers of green
reviving life and city air;
urban garden
blessing ground and all

Seeding Our Future

Lentils, tiny seeds
vital mini spheres of life
sown power alternates
yielding nutrients
for health

Esau gave his kingdom
for a bowl of lentils
his decision
altered destiny–
red seeds cooked
were valued then…

Today might we exchange
destruction, greed, starvation
and extinction
for lentil fields
and humble bowls
of life
edible prayers of sustenance
for centuries to come

May lentils grace
our lives today
fields yielding
seeds of power
greening planet
saving earth
Elul’s lentil etude
for redemption
of our world

Judith Felsen, Ph.D. is a poetess, Clinical Psychologist, coach, 2nd generation holocaust survivor, hiker, dancer, walker, volunteer, lover of nature, gardens, wilderness, beach, ocean and mountains. Her work addresses issues of recovery, 2nd generation survivors, the natural world, gardens and harvests, life cycle issues, spiritual questing, social issues, community issues and personal requests. Her poems have been published and widely distributed in national and specific publications. She is a New York native and resident of new Hampshire. She frequents Long Beach and lives with her husband and two large rescue dogs at their camp in the White Mountains of N.H. and house near the ocean in Long Beach. She actively studies the mystical and esoteric aspects of Judaism and is a member of the board of the Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation and the Chavurah of Mount Washington Valley. She writes often and offers consultation upon request.

---