Earth Etude for Elul 18

Selichot [forgiveness]

by De Fischler Herman

~What is the color of forgiveness?

Is it pink, delicate as the bloom of a Peace rose?

Is it green, refreshing like the mist from the sparkling sea?

Is it red, warm as the rock in the desert sand?

Is it yellow, bright as the sunflower in summer’s field?

Is it blue, cool as the water under the azure sky?

Is it brown, rich like the soil beneath our weary feet?

Is it black, dark like the night surrounding each of us?

It must be white,

reflecting God’s light

Crafting peace

Healing wounds

Spreading love

Holding all.

De Fischler Herman received smicha from the ALEPH Ordination Program and served as Hospice Chaplain. Now in “retirement,” she writes, makes art, grows vegetables, rides her bike, and does climate activism in her Takoma Park, Maryland community. De also serves on the Jewish Earth Alliance Steering Committee and is a volunteer docent at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

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