The four daughters
haven’t stopped talking
since that first seder.
The wise one works as
a therapist bringing peace
between husband and wife.
The wicked one uses her rage
to prosecute pedophiles and
bring evil terrorists to justice.
The simple one had had enough and
moved to Ramat Aviv where
she raises four daughters of her own.
And the fourth daughter?
She has so many questions,
she doesn’t know where to start.
Their mother doesn’t ask
what does all this mean to you,
she knows the depth of their connection.
But she waits and waits,
for her sons to rise and shift
from their places of power
and make room for their sisters,
at the negotiating table,
to finally put an end to all the strife.
_______
Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi is a licensed professional counselor and lives in Annapolis, Maryland. She is also the author of three books of poetry about Israel, all available on Amazon: A Strip of Land, October Shiva, and Let Us Be.