A View of Pentecost from a Lapsed Jew

Ruth in Boaz's Field by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1828)

Pentecost, seven times seven

days after Passover

promises love, nurture, kinship.

As God gave us Torah and Jesus

(at Mount Sinai and on Shavuot)

to read and know and act upon.

Here is the root of existence:

our spirit-filled shells wear out

in time yet leave our deeds behind.

As with the grain of wheat which dies

to bear its fruit, so with all life

we have thus far met on our earth.

In our non-Eden, spring produce

of flowers and leaf reminds us that

mortality has fruitfulness.

As we spread compost on our crops

we show reverence for what dies,

refuse to use what has not lived.

Truth and faith and law—all three—

suggest we are to celebrate  

that death is part of God’s great love.

Death speaks of continuity—

tells us to treat others as we

desire to be treated ourselves—

It is our covenant—our bloom—

gratitude rather than sorrow—

we flower so we can make food.

My blog poems are rough drafts. 

Please respect my copyright.

© 2016 Susan L. Chast